Novak Djokovic REVEALS His Secret Mindset Shift That ENDS Self-Doubt… (YouTube Video Transcript)

(00:00:00) Your YouTube transcript will appear here (00:00:00) Not having success is not an option. I (00:00:03) have to succeed. It's basically a matter (00:00:05) of existence, a survival of my family. (00:00:08) >> The world's number one male tennis (00:00:10) player. He's won 24 grand slams in a (00:00:13) glittering career. Novak Jookovic. (00:00:15) >> You've been through so many injuries, (00:00:17) losses. (00:00:18) >> Oh, he's hurt himself. What has (00:00:20) NovakJovich done? (00:00:22) >> What goes through your mind when you (00:00:24) lose? (00:00:24) >> I just want to be left alone. (00:00:26) What has it taken to become NovakJovich? (00:00:30) >> It's a consistent practice. It's prayer (00:00:32) work, mindfulness, meditation, conscious (00:00:35) breathing. It requires more (00:00:37) responsibility from you on a daily basis (00:00:39) to prepare yourself for the biggest (00:00:41) battle. (00:00:42) >> When did you first become aware of that (00:00:43) feeling of not being enough? (00:00:45) >> I kind of get emotional about it because (00:00:47) it's still deep inside of me. (00:00:49) >> Do you feel like in your career you've (00:00:51) achieved everything you set out to as a (00:00:54) tennis player? When you reach your 30, (00:00:56) you start counting your days to your (00:00:58) retirement. I'm 38 this year. How far (00:01:01) can I go? How long can I push my own (00:01:04) limits? (00:01:05) >> The number one health and wellness (00:01:07) podcast. (00:01:08) >> J Shetty. (00:01:09) >> J Shetty, (00:01:10) >> the one, the only J Shetty. (00:01:14) >> Hey everyone, welcome back to OnPurpose, (00:01:17) the number one health and wellness (00:01:18) podcast in the world. Thanks to each and (00:01:21) every one of you who come back every (00:01:23) week to listen, learn, and grow. Now, (00:01:26) this is an incredible statistic that I'm (00:01:28) sharing for the first time. Thanks to (00:01:30) you, we are now creating 500 million (00:01:34) views every month. Not every year, every (00:01:38) month. And I'm so grateful that you're (00:01:40) part of this community. Today, I get to (00:01:42) welcome back a guest who has been a big (00:01:45) part of making that possible for me. I'm (00:01:47) grateful to him. I'm indebted to him (00:01:49) because he believed in the mission of on (00:01:51) purpose even before many people did or (00:01:55) any people did. Before this podcast was (00:01:57) even out, he allowed me the gracious (00:02:00) kindness to go and interview him and (00:02:03) release as the second episode of all (00:02:06) time. Welcoming back to on purpose, I'm (00:02:10) so excited to have my friend, the (00:02:12) incredible human Novak Joich. Novak, (00:02:16) >> thank you G. You are I mean do you know (00:02:19) what I'm so grateful to have you back (00:02:20) and my heart is so full because you were (00:02:24) one of those rare people that had seen (00:02:27) one of my first ever videos. We'd (00:02:29) reached out. We'd connected. We were (00:02:31) talking a lot at the time. You were (00:02:33) going through a really fascinating place (00:02:35) in your career. You were recovering from (00:02:37) an injury, right? (00:02:39) >> It was a different mindset. You were (00:02:41) just on the cusp of becoming the (00:02:43) greatest of all time. and you took a (00:02:46) chance on me in so many ways and I'm I'm (00:02:50) eternally indebted and grateful to you (00:02:51) for that. So, thank you for coming on (00:02:53) then and coming back now. (00:02:55) >> Jay, thank you. It's a great pleasure to (00:02:57) see you again and to be able to talk to (00:02:58) you. Thank you for kind words in (00:03:01) introduction and as well reflecting on (00:03:04) our first conversation in 2019. I don't (00:03:07) think I took a chance because we talked (00:03:09) about it just before we started (00:03:11) officially recording. You know when you (00:03:14) are connected with yourself and with (00:03:16) your emotions and when you feel someone (00:03:17) deeply and you look in someone's eyes (00:03:19) and you understand instantly with your (00:03:22) instinct with your intuition or that (00:03:24) this person thinks good or thinks bad or (00:03:27) has the right intention has the heart at (00:03:29) the right place. So I could see that (00:03:31) from the first moment with you and (00:03:33) that's where I felt the connection and (00:03:35) even though we haven't seen each other (00:03:37) for a few years, you know, I'm just so (00:03:39) glad that we are able to connect now and (00:03:41) you led me through the list of all the (00:03:43) guests that you had in the last almost (00:03:45) 300 episodes in the last 5 years and I I (00:03:48) couldn't be happier for you and for your (00:03:50) wife and for your entire team. Amazing. (00:03:52) >> A thank you man. And it's uh you gave me (00:03:54) my first Wimbledon experience. I got to (00:03:57) see you play on center court. It was (00:04:00) amazing. I mean, are you kidding me? It (00:04:01) was like and you crushed. You won (00:04:03) obviously. Uh but it was just such a (00:04:05) brilliant experience to see you play (00:04:08) after getting to understand your (00:04:09) psychology. And I think that's what I've (00:04:11) respected about you over time that (00:04:14) you've really worked hard on your (00:04:16) internal game as much as your external (00:04:19) game. And I think you're one of those (00:04:22) few rare athletes that have raised the (00:04:24) consciousness by working on your own (00:04:26) consciousness. So today I want to dive (00:04:28) deep into that and and I want to dive (00:04:30) right in. I wanted to start by asking (00:04:31) you like what has it taken to become (00:04:36) NovakJovich? Like what has it actually (00:04:38) taken to become you internally? You (00:04:41) know, you you mentioned that I took a (00:04:45) lot of the time and attention to (00:04:46) dedicate myself to the internal work and (00:04:50) you know, I've been blessed and really (00:04:53) lucky in a certain way to be surrounded (00:04:56) with certain people at the very early (00:04:58) stages of my career and my life that (00:05:01) have directed me into this direction of (00:05:06) self-care, of holistic approach, of (00:05:10) multidisipline iplinary approach to the (00:05:12) preparation to the prevention to the (00:05:14) recovery both physical mental emotional (00:05:19) and at that time because I was so young (00:05:20) I didn't understand that and and it (00:05:23) didn't need to be explained to me in (00:05:25) depth at that point I trusted you know (00:05:28) my tennis mother as I like to call her (00:05:29) she passed away 13 years ago but she was (00:05:32) the one that really introduced this (00:05:34) holistic concept to me you know we were (00:05:36) I was going you know obviously to school (00:05:39) and then I was only 9 years old and 910 (00:05:43) and I was training with her maybe two or (00:05:45) three times a week individually tennis (00:05:48) and then I would have group sessions and (00:05:50) my parents were you know were trusting (00:05:53) her enough to allow her to participate (00:05:56) directly into my upbringing basically. (00:05:58) So she also educated me off the tennis (00:06:01) court as well. So she took me very often (00:06:04) uh at least two times per week to her (00:06:07) house where we would look at the tapes (00:06:09) of all the greats both male and female (00:06:12) tennis players. That's where my (00:06:14) impersonation started. You know people, (00:06:16) you know, still to this day ask me, you (00:06:18) know, when are you going to do the (00:06:19) imitations impersonations? And you know, (00:06:21) I haven't done it. I've done it early in (00:06:22) my career and it was fun. It was viral (00:06:24) and people liked it. And then I received (00:06:26) a little bit of an evil looks in the (00:06:28) locker room and I kind of felt like, you (00:06:30) know, maybe I'm stepping over the line. (00:06:31) inside. That's why I stopped. But that's (00:06:33) where it started. And I was like, I was (00:06:35) really trying to adapt all of the great (00:06:38) things that I could see. And I have a (00:06:40) kind of a photogenic memory. And I'm a (00:06:42) very visual person. And that was (00:06:45) something that was kind of expected that (00:06:47) is kind of common as well, what you do (00:06:49) with kids, you know, or or with young (00:06:50) athletes, right? You watch videotapes, (00:06:52) you try to analyze, you try to talk. But (00:06:55) then she had me listen to classical (00:06:58) music. And she said it's very important (00:07:00) that you do that almost on a daily (00:07:02) basis. Listen to classical music while (00:07:05) you are writing your journal while you (00:07:08) are you know preparing for bed or any (00:07:12) time of the day but particularly those (00:07:14) times and you know I liked it. I didn't (00:07:16) understand the purpose of it but you (00:07:19) know I liked it. And so we would look at (00:07:21) the tapes and we would listen to this (00:07:23) music and then we would read poetry and (00:07:26) then we would do a visualization (00:07:28) practice. At that time she it was not (00:07:30) presented to me as such but she would (00:07:32) just say in a very simple way that would (00:07:34) be understood by a a boy a 10-year-old (00:07:37) boy just close your eyes and think about (00:07:40) how you want to play tennis and think (00:07:42) about when you're your happiest. And so (00:07:44) it started at a very early age and I'm (00:07:48) so eternally grateful to her for (00:07:50) instilling this in me and teaching me (00:07:53) you know how to see life basically and (00:07:56) understand that tennis is not as an (00:07:59) individual sport of course is also (00:08:01) different because you don't have anyone (00:08:02) to replace you if something goes bad you (00:08:05) know during the match you have to figure (00:08:06) out the way so I think it requires more (00:08:09) responsibility from you on a daily basis (00:08:11) to prepare yourself for a biggest battle (00:08:13) internally and also externally of course (00:08:15) with your opponent and with everything (00:08:17) that is happening around. But you know (00:08:20) so it taught me to really understand (00:08:22) that tennis is not only about hitting a (00:08:25) tennis ball over the net and counting (00:08:28) score and dreaming about this (00:08:30) achievements and winning Wimbledon as (00:08:32) our holy grail of tennis. But it's it's (00:08:36) more than that. And and I can use tennis (00:08:39) as a platform to evolve into a better (00:08:42) human being. At that point, I didn't (00:08:45) understand that. But then as I was (00:08:47) growing older and becoming more mature, (00:08:49) I I started to understand the importance (00:08:51) of doing all of these practices and I (00:08:53) started to expand on each of these (00:08:56) topics that that I was going through (00:08:58) with her. And then, you know, I started (00:09:01) going into yoga. I started going into (00:09:04) the movement into Christianity or to a (00:09:06) Christian. I'm very proud of my (00:09:08) religion. But at the same time, I am (00:09:10) very open to you know embrace anything (00:09:14) that can teach me you know from other (00:09:16) religions and from the spirituality as a (00:09:18) whole. So I'm very curious by nature. So (00:09:21) I was really always looking for new ways (00:09:24) to improve myself and improve my life on (00:09:26) this planet, you know, and I was very (00:09:28) lucky to be basically have that space (00:09:30) also from my parents. It's a kind of a (00:09:32) self-discovery through the self-care (00:09:35) through tennis really consumed most of (00:09:38) my life. Um I mean still does not to (00:09:40) that extent of course I mean I have two (00:09:42) kids I have family and other businesses (00:09:44) and other things that interests me. So (00:09:46) I'm you know I'm balancing right now (00:09:49) between tennis and the other stuff and (00:09:50) I'm kind of making that transition (00:09:52) slowly. you know, I still play (00:09:54) professional tennis and I still (00:09:55) experience my worst self on the court (00:09:59) and my best self. And so going back to (00:10:02) your comment at the beginning where you (00:10:04) said, you know, you're one of the the (00:10:06) athletes that really have immersed (00:10:09) himself into the spirituality, into (00:10:10) understanding the holistic approach and (00:10:13) so forth and and the mental health, I (00:10:16) would say yes. But I'm still surprising (00:10:19) and shocking myself on how much I (00:10:23) actually need to still work on that and (00:10:25) I still quote unquote don't know enough (00:10:28) about that world and it was really hard (00:10:31) for me to accept that you know I thought (00:10:34) you know since 10 I basically started (00:10:36) working on that and and growing the (00:10:38) foundation but it has evolved and has (00:10:41) transformed so much for me in terms of (00:10:44) how I see myself how I see the world and (00:10:47) I thought, you know, maybe when I was at (00:10:50) at the peak of my career and, you know, (00:10:53) I felt like I'm unbeatable and I I feel (00:10:56) like I could do anything, you know, I (00:10:58) kind of walking on the water. We all (00:11:00) experience that in in in our own lives (00:11:02) in certain way and it's a great feeling, (00:11:04) but then the ego takes you places where (00:11:06) it's it's hard to come back from. And (00:11:08) maybe you shouldn't come back from that. (00:11:10) Maybe you're trying to find a balance, (00:11:12) find the optimal measure that really (00:11:14) works for you. But it it took me time to (00:11:16) really accept the fact that what I have (00:11:20) learned, what I have mastered, and what (00:11:23) I'm doing on a daily basis for the last (00:11:26) 20 years or more is not necessarily a (00:11:30) guarantee that I'll always find a way (00:11:32) and that will always work for me in this (00:11:34) particular time of my life and (00:11:37) circumstances that I'm facing. So that's (00:11:39) a huge revelation for me because and I'm (00:11:42) still trying to get a grasp on it and (00:11:44) and understand all of these factors that (00:11:46) are in play that are challenging me on a (00:11:49) daily basis. And when I talk from this (00:11:52) perspective, it's a beautiful journey (00:11:55) that I'm trying to embrace. But when you (00:11:57) are immersed in the dark moment, it's (00:11:59) it's kind of hard to to really get out (00:12:01) of that. (00:12:02) >> Yeah. No, I I love what you're saying (00:12:04) because uh in the Gita, the ancient text (00:12:07) of India, it's spoken on a battlefield (00:12:10) and the idea is that you're always on a (00:12:12) battlefield. And as you said, on the (00:12:14) battlefield, you see the best of (00:12:15) yourself and the worst of yourself. And (00:12:17) often people said that to me when I (00:12:19) moved to LA, everyone's like, why do you (00:12:20) want to be in LA? There's so much (00:12:21) materialism. There's so much, (00:12:23) >> you know, illusion here. And I said, (00:12:25) well, actually, I feel like I'm on the (00:12:26) battlefield here. So, I see the best of (00:12:28) myself and I see the worst of myself. (00:12:30) And the worst of myself reminds me to (00:12:32) keep going and to keep working on (00:12:34) myself. And the best of myself allows me (00:12:36) to share my message with the biggest (00:12:38) megaphone in the world. And so it's that (00:12:41) dichotomy of actually when you're (00:12:44) looking for spiritual growth, you want (00:12:46) to be in a place that reminds you of (00:12:48) your weaknesses as much as your (00:12:50) strength. Because if you are only (00:12:52) reminded of your strength, you just have (00:12:54) your ego. And if you were only reminded (00:12:56) of your weaknesses, well then you would (00:12:58) be depressed or disheartened. I can (00:13:00) instantly see the mistake when I (00:13:03) actually say it's my coach's fault or (00:13:06) it's my physio's fault or my fitness (00:13:08) coach's fault or it's whoever's fault (00:13:10) for me losing a match or me playing this (00:13:12) way. So I always remind myself, hey, (00:13:14) take the responsibility in your hands. (00:13:16) Take the means in your hands. You are in (00:13:19) control of your life. I really would (00:13:21) love my my children to to be able to be (00:13:24) okay with being bored because that's the (00:13:26) time when you're actually most creative (00:13:29) or that's the time when you can manage (00:13:32) your thoughts and everything that you (00:13:34) have been suppressing by distracting (00:13:36) yourself with phone with whatever it is (00:13:38) you cannot convince me that there is a (00:13:41) single person in this planet even the (00:13:42) monk in Tibet that is meditating 24/7 or (00:13:47) an Orthodox Christian priest in a holy (00:13:50) island in Greece that is 24/7 praying (00:13:53) that is not experiencing some negative (00:13:56) thoughts. You've probably been hearing (00:13:58) about AI everywhere and we all need to (00:14:01) be mindful of the tools we trust in this (00:14:03) new chapter of technology. Claude is the (00:14:06) if you know you know AI assistant that (00:14:08) just feels different. 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(00:14:58) Do you feel like in your career you've (00:15:00) achieved everything you set out to as a (00:15:02) tennis player? (00:15:03) >> Uh, yes. And more than that, and at the (00:15:07) same time, I still want to do more. And (00:15:10) I know that that comes in a big part (00:15:12) from a good place. Meaning from a place (00:15:15) of purpose, inspiration, motivation, (00:15:18) love for the sport, passion for the (00:15:19) sport, passion to make people happy when (00:15:22) they watch me. If I'm doing that, and I (00:15:25) I have a feeling that I am by still (00:15:29) actively being on the tennis tour and (00:15:31) having my tennis career, active tennis (00:15:33) career, I'm still spreading that light (00:15:36) by playing tennis and inspiring younger (00:15:37) generations. That's something that that (00:15:40) comes from a good heart, a good place. (00:15:42) But what comes from maybe a uh I would (00:15:44) say not necessarily a bad place but less (00:15:47) of a good place. I have identified that (00:15:50) as well is my feeling of not being (00:15:55) enough. (00:15:56) And that goes back to my very very (00:15:59) beginning of my life and my relationship (00:16:01) particularly with my father and not (00:16:04) being not doing enough, not being good (00:16:07) enough. uh etc etc. So, so now that I'm (00:16:10) talking about it, I I kind of get (00:16:12) emotional about it because it's still (00:16:13) deep inside of me and it's kind of the (00:16:16) battle that I that I also go through (00:16:18) often because a lot of people even (00:16:21) closest people in my life ask me, you (00:16:23) know, what more do you want? You know, (00:16:25) you have achieved everything. (00:16:27) What do you want? What why why do you (00:16:29) keep going? And I tell them the the good (00:16:31) part that I told you that I still really (00:16:33) strongly feel it's inside of me and I (00:16:35) feel like as long as I have the capacity (00:16:38) or or ability to compete for the biggest (00:16:41) titles in in my sport, I want to keep (00:16:44) going. And also partly the part that I (00:16:47) didn't mention that inspires me to keep (00:16:50) going is to test my limits mentally and (00:16:54) physically. Because when I was starting (00:16:57) to break through into professional (00:16:58) tennis, (00:17:00) I remember when you reach your 30, you (00:17:02) start counting your days to your (00:17:04) retirement. Like after 30, you know, (00:17:06) that's it pretty much. Even though there (00:17:08) was some exceptions like Jimmy Connor is (00:17:10) the legend of our game. He played think (00:17:13) semi-finals or finals of of US Open when (00:17:15) he was 40, you know, still still, you (00:17:17) know, dominating the tour. So there were (00:17:20) very but very few exceptions. Nowadays (00:17:22) it's different. Why? Because I think the (00:17:25) care for the body has improved so much. (00:17:29) I mean now not only top 10 or 15 guys or (00:17:34) girls on the tour have like multiple (00:17:37) people in their squad to take care of (00:17:39) them. You have top 50 people that are (00:17:42) taking care of them. It's due to the (00:17:44) improvement of course of the conditions (00:17:47) for the players and you know we earn (00:17:49) more across the board. So, it gives you (00:17:51) it allows you to hire more people that (00:17:54) would take care of your body. And I (00:17:56) think that it's also a a kind of a a (00:17:59) curiosity from my side. How how far can (00:18:01) I go? You know, I'm I'm 38 this year, (00:18:05) you know, how long can I push my own (00:18:07) limits? And I don't feel like I do have (00:18:09) limits. And I feel like the limits are (00:18:10) normally constructs in our mind. I've (00:18:14) seen the episode you did with Brian (00:18:15) Johnson the other day and then he talked (00:18:18) about you know he's (00:18:19) >> by a lot of people's opinion very (00:18:21) extreme but you know he dedicated his (00:18:24) own entire life to getting the data and (00:18:28) understanding what are the best (00:18:30) conditions for the longest living life (00:18:33) that he can have for himself which I (00:18:36) think it's something that is admirable (00:18:38) and you know I give him huge credit for (00:18:40) that and it I understand because as a (00:18:43) professional athlete, you know, the care (00:18:45) for your body and your mind and the (00:18:48) devotion to the daily habits is so tough (00:18:52) because when you want to change a (00:18:55) certain habit, science says it takes at (00:18:57) least 21 days, right, for the brain to (00:19:00) start growing, you know, new neurons (00:19:02) that are reprogramming. (00:19:04) But if you don't have the right (00:19:06) environment, that's going to be very, (00:19:09) very challenging. So that was also one (00:19:11) of the things that I wanted to reflect (00:19:12) on in your question is the environment (00:19:15) is the one that can be very stimulative (00:19:18) to you. It can be really supportive or (00:19:21) it can be pulling you down. So it's (00:19:24) super important even though we we always (00:19:27) encourage ourselves to be independent in (00:19:30) terms of what we do, what we eat, how we (00:19:32) sleep, how you know how we lead our (00:19:34) lives and what we do and how we can live (00:19:37) the best version of our lives possible. (00:19:39) But at the same time, we are social (00:19:41) beings. (00:19:42) >> We are very tribal beings. And even if (00:19:44) it's the smallest community, we still (00:19:46) want to belong to that community. We (00:19:48) still want this community to support us. (00:19:50) Even if it's one person or two, but it's (00:19:52) super important in the end of the day (00:19:54) because, you know, making tough choices. (00:19:56) These are tough choices because society (00:19:58) when you go out there, you know, (00:20:00) supermajority of the places where you go (00:20:02) to eat or people that you see, it's a (00:20:05) kind of a vicious cycle and they lead (00:20:07) their life in a certain way that maybe (00:20:09) doesn't coincide or correspond to your (00:20:13) choices that you want to make the new (00:20:14) choices or maybe the new changes. So (00:20:17) it's really hard, you know what I mean? (00:20:18) Living in the in the big city and (00:20:20) deciding you want to go through (00:20:21) transformational journey on a daily (00:20:23) basis where being exposed to (00:20:25) >> to something that is contrary to what (00:20:27) you're trying to achieve. (00:20:28) >> I feel like it's it's reinventing (00:20:30) yourself constantly. You know, for me, (00:20:33) I've had this kind of upbringing, had a (00:20:35) great foundation, and you know, I've (00:20:38) achieved incredible things. I was (00:20:40) dreaming of becoming number one in the (00:20:41) world and becoming a Wimbledon champion. (00:20:44) And that was my dream. I achieved that (00:20:46) dream within two days. I won Wimbledon (00:20:48) and at the same same day became number (00:20:51) one in the world in 2011 in front of my (00:20:54) family, in front of president of Serbia (00:20:56) who was there. I mean it was with a (00:20:58) welcoming of hundreds of thousands of (00:20:59) people on the way back. It's just you (00:21:02) know once in a lifetime type of (00:21:03) experience and when you do something for (00:21:06) the first time obviously that big it's (00:21:08) just like you're you're flying to the (00:21:10) moon. I mean you're not you it's a kind (00:21:12) of an old out of body experience but (00:21:15) then I I felt like I had to set new (00:21:18) goals and cuz I was you know at the at (00:21:21) the time 2011 I was 23 years old 24 so (00:21:24) okay what do I do next you know I feel (00:21:26) like I'm at you know peak of my powers (00:21:28) and I want to so so then I want to win (00:21:30) multiple slams then I want to win all (00:21:32) slams at once then I want to win gold (00:21:33) medal for my country then I want to make (00:21:35) history and so forth so forth so I think (00:21:38) goal oriented mind particular (00:21:40) particularly in sports but I also in (00:21:42) business or anything really I think is (00:21:45) super important because the clarity in (00:21:48) from my experience is something that is (00:21:51) essential to have also peace of mind and (00:21:54) to have a calm heart that you know what (00:21:57) you're doing and that you set your goals (00:22:00) your short-term goals your long-term (00:22:01) goals and you know exactly the strategy (00:22:03) that you need to implement to achieve (00:22:05) them and you surround yourself with the (00:22:07) people who are supporting you but also (00:22:10) people who are telling you what you (00:22:12) don't want to hear, you know, giving you (00:22:14) constructive criticism or maybe giving (00:22:16) you non-constructive criticism and then (00:22:18) putting you very down. But that's also (00:22:20) part of the journey. It's also learning (00:22:22) how to get up (00:22:23) >> like a phoenix and rise and and and try (00:22:25) to develop a thick skin, so to say. So, (00:22:29) it's it's a constant process really. I I (00:22:31) don't see myself fully satisfied if if (00:22:35) that's maybe a shorter answer because I (00:22:38) have that part of me which is like uh (00:22:41) you know I think I can still do more but (00:22:44) I'm the other side of me is like of (00:22:46) course I'm fully I'm happy and I'm proud (00:22:49) and in a way I can't wait one day for me (00:22:53) to reflect on everything but while I'm (00:22:55) still in my active career I don't have (00:22:57) time. Tennis has a longest season of all (00:23:00) sports. January starts January, ends (00:23:02) almost end of November. And of course, I (00:23:05) earn my right in a way to be selective (00:23:06) with tournaments where I play. So that's (00:23:08) what I'm doing. I'm not playing as much. (00:23:11) I'm focusing on the big ones. And I'm (00:23:13) trying to incorporate all of these other (00:23:15) things inside of my career and basically (00:23:18) expand the platform and use my voice for (00:23:22) other things than just the tennis court. (00:23:24) And I'm, you know, super blessed to be (00:23:27) in a position that I am, but as I said, (00:23:29) it's a constant journey and process. (00:23:31) >> Yeah. I really appreciate you being (00:23:33) honest about your experience with your (00:23:35) father because I think that pretty much (00:23:38) anyone who goes off to do something (00:23:40) successful externally. (00:23:43) All of us and everyone was channeling (00:23:46) some sort of internal inadequacy or an (00:23:50) internal feeling of not being enough. as (00:23:54) you said and I wanted to ask when did (00:23:57) you first become aware of that that you (00:23:59) had that feeling of not being enough (00:24:02) >> right (00:24:02) >> and how have you helped that evolve in a (00:24:06) in the healthiest way possible what has (00:24:07) been that journey of almost having to (00:24:10) live with it because it's there but not (00:24:12) letting it be your guiding light well (00:24:14) you're right it makes sense because I (00:24:17) think if you use it as the right fuel it (00:24:19) can actually serve as a great motivating (00:24:21) factor right it can it can push you. It (00:24:24) can, you know, stimulate you to extract (00:24:27) the the most amount of necessary energy (00:24:32) uh on a daily basis to achieve your (00:24:34) goals and to basically live your dream. (00:24:36) I think for me it started really as (00:24:38) something that was inevitable as a part (00:24:41) of the environment that I was in. I (00:24:42) touched upon that a little bit in our (00:24:45) conversation five, six years ago. My (00:24:48) upbringing with several wars and (00:24:50) sanctions and embargo and poverty and (00:24:52) everything. So you know from a very (00:24:55) young age I was basically forced to (00:24:58) mature very quickly because I'm a I'm a (00:25:01) oldest of the three brothers. I have two (00:25:03) younger brothers. So as an oldest son to (00:25:06) my father, I was basically kind of in a (00:25:09) position where I had to be informed very (00:25:13) early on, particularly the age of 11, 12 (00:25:16) when when we had that bombing and the (00:25:18) war and sanctions that state that we are (00:25:21) in as a family or as people of of my (00:25:24) country, the situation, the (00:25:26) circumstances, my father had to bring it (00:25:28) forward to me in a very clear and mature (00:25:30) way. So, you know, one of the most (00:25:34) impactful moments of my upbringing and (00:25:37) my childhood is when he brought 10 (00:25:39) Deutsch marks, and I've said this story (00:25:40) many times, which is equivalent to $10, (00:25:43) and he said, "This is all we got for our (00:25:46) family of five as living in a super (00:25:48) small apartment." That's where it hit (00:25:50) me. It was like, "Okay, now I have to (00:25:52) take the means in my hands as a (00:25:54) 12-year-old boy in whatever way I can. (00:25:57) At least what I can do is support my (00:26:00) mother." maybe from some of the the (00:26:02) burden that she has during the day of (00:26:04) taking care of my younger brothers and (00:26:07) that's where it also hit me that not (00:26:10) having success is not an option like I (00:26:14) have to succeed it's basically a matter (00:26:16) of existence a survival of my family (00:26:19) so I think it started there and then (00:26:22) over the years it has obviously (00:26:24) transformed or evolved into different (00:26:26) kind of form (00:26:29) but I I think that and also my (00:26:32) relationship with my father often times (00:26:35) because of maybe lack of patience of my (00:26:37) father or of people around because (00:26:40) everyone saw that I have a talent. I was (00:26:43) coming from Serbia that had no tennis (00:26:45) tradition, no tennis culture. We are a (00:26:49) nation of a team sports. Uh we are (00:26:51) definitely a sporting nation. We love (00:26:53) sports but team sports. And at that (00:26:55) point during ' 90s it was about (00:26:58) survival. People were watching sports (00:27:00) but there was not much support for the (00:27:02) sports. It was particularly not tennis a (00:27:05) very expensive sport at the time. I (00:27:07) chose the most difficult sport for my (00:27:09) parents in most difficult time for our (00:27:12) nation and for my family. So often times (00:27:15) I wouldn't travel because we didn't have (00:27:17) money and then you know obviously as you (00:27:19) can imagine tennis federation didn't (00:27:22) have you know money to support me. So my (00:27:24) father had to go and beg and then he was (00:27:26) also borrowing money from (00:27:29) unfortunately even some criminals at the (00:27:31) time during ' 90s and then they would (00:27:33) you know they would tell him it's funny (00:27:35) story right now but at the time it (00:27:37) wasn't funny particularly for him but (00:27:38) you know he would go and he said first (00:27:40) time I was going to go to United States (00:27:42) to play I was 15 years old I was going (00:27:44) to play like big junior events here like (00:27:47) Prince Cup and Orange Ball there are the (00:27:49) biggest ones under 16 and under 18 and (00:27:53) also So, more importantly, I was I was (00:27:55) going with my father hopefully to get (00:27:58) the sponsorship or, you know, get (00:28:00) recruited by one of the big agencies, (00:28:02) IMGs or or whatever. So, he went for ask (00:28:06) for money because we didn't have so he (00:28:07) went to ask for $5,000 and so this (00:28:11) criminal people that you could borrow (00:28:13) money from because banks obviously would (00:28:16) not give it to you. And then they said, (00:28:18) you know, he asked him, you know, are (00:28:20) you how much are you in rush? And he's (00:28:23) like, "Listen, I'm asking this money (00:28:25) from you because of my son. He's playing (00:28:27) tennis. We're going in America. You (00:28:30) know, I'll return this money within (00:28:32) whatever they agreed on, one or two (00:28:34) months, whatever it is, 3 months." He (00:28:36) says interest rate was 15%. But because (00:28:41) you are in rush, it's 25. So my father (00:28:45) was like, "Okay, you know, I'll take it (00:28:49) cuz I have no other option." So, and I (00:28:51) can only imagine the stress that he was (00:28:53) going through and trying to turn this (00:28:55) money where people were really car (00:28:56) chasing him, shootings in our capital (00:29:00) town, stuff that my father went through, (00:29:02) you know, to to really not only survive (00:29:05) himself, but to actually allow all of us (00:29:08) to live and protect us and to allow me (00:29:11) to live my dream and to play the most (00:29:14) expensive sport at the time for my (00:29:16) country is something that I'm eternally (00:29:18) indeed. I cannot there's no money or (00:29:20) there's nothing that can (00:29:22) >> return the favor so to say. So of course (00:29:25) my father's always my my hero for that (00:29:28) and my champion but you know feeling of (00:29:30) not enough because of that stress and (00:29:32) what things that he was going through (00:29:33) and then it was hard because he was (00:29:36) giving me also hard time if I wouldn't (00:29:38) play well and it's like and then I I (00:29:40) understood but at the same time I was (00:29:42) afraid I knew what I have to do but you (00:29:45) know it's hard for me to deliver it when (00:29:48) you need it's like okay you need to win (00:29:50) no matter what type of situation. He (00:29:52) wasn't telling me that but that's how it (00:29:54) felt (00:29:55) >> and that felt like that for years. (00:29:58) >> So that's why I say that the success (00:30:01) that I have achieved is not only due to (00:30:05) my father or my parents or myself. It's (00:30:08) also the divine higher force. I strongly (00:30:12) believe that there was an intervention (00:30:15) and there still is. There's higher (00:30:18) forces in power that were helping me in (00:30:21) some of the most difficult moments in my (00:30:23) family as well. I am a man of faith and (00:30:26) I really truly believe in God and a (00:30:28) higher spiritual force that intervenes (00:30:31) in the most difficult moments if you (00:30:33) open your heart, if you pray and if you (00:30:35) believe in it. So I felt it on my own (00:30:37) skin. Jay, to be honest, I really don't (00:30:40) know how I won certain matches. I cannot (00:30:43) explain it even with my team after I (00:30:46) would finish a grand slam final against (00:30:49) Roger Feather in 2019 Wimbledon when he (00:30:52) was a far better player. I saved some (00:30:55) match points and I came off the court (00:30:58) all stats were going his way. I won the (00:31:00) match and I just said, you know, and I (00:31:03) wasn't playing well. I wasn't feeling (00:31:05) well on the court and I was just like (00:31:07) struggling and scrambling and trying to (00:31:09) stay out there, stay alive. And I won in (00:31:12) the end in one of the most epic finals (00:31:14) in history of tennis. And then you know (00:31:16) I told to my parents and my family and (00:31:18) my my team I said and my wife I said I (00:31:21) don't know how I won this match. I have (00:31:23) no idea. At the same time I do know deep (00:31:26) inside that there there's that (00:31:28) connection happening and that that (00:31:31) there's also that help. So there there's (00:31:34) a mix of things. It's really hard to (00:31:36) explain. Sometimes there's this divine (00:31:38) power that really if you allow it, if (00:31:41) you believe it, that really helps you (00:31:44) come out of of a trouble and and achieve (00:31:47) things. (00:31:48) >> What has been your (00:31:50) point of connection or practice with (00:31:53) that higher power that keeps you (00:31:54) connected? What's been that for you? (00:31:56) There's so many different traditions and (00:31:58) different methods. What's been the (00:31:59) method for you that you find, especially (00:32:02) in those moments, that you're able to (00:32:03) tap in? Because I find that if you're (00:32:06) able to tap in in really difficult (00:32:07) times, it means you're doing something (00:32:09) in good times because it doesn't just (00:32:11) suddenly turn on when you need it. So (00:32:14) what what has been your particular (00:32:15) practice, method, uh system or theory (00:32:19) that's kept you connect? (00:32:20) >> You hit the nail with that one. It's a (00:32:21) consistent practice. So it's prayer (00:32:23) work, mindfulness, meditation, conscious (00:32:26) breathing, (00:32:28) visualization, (00:32:30) presence, basically many other things as (00:32:33) well that that just NLP or you know (00:32:37) there's a lot of different techniques (00:32:39) that I have been practicing (00:32:42) and triing always with myself before I (00:32:46) would recommend it to someone else. And (00:32:48) over the years, I've developed my own (00:32:50) formula that changes (00:32:53) dependent on the feeling, dependent on (00:32:56) whether I'm on the court, whether I'm at (00:32:58) home, whe practice, whatever it is that (00:33:00) I'm doing. But I try to do it when, you (00:33:03) know, nobody's watching. And sometimes I (00:33:06) verbalize things, sometimes I don't. (00:33:08) Sometimes I write things down, sometimes (00:33:09) I just internalize. It just depends. But (00:33:13) I think most importantly in the end is (00:33:15) that you're doing something. M (00:33:17) >> I'm actually reading this book uh one of (00:33:19) the books that I'm reading currently is (00:33:21) you know the power of surrendering and (00:33:23) letting go. (00:33:24) >> Mhm. (00:33:25) >> It is an amazing book for me at at the (00:33:28) moment because because of my upbringing (00:33:31) and because of my character and because (00:33:33) of my life story hard for me to let go. (00:33:36) It's hard for me to surrender (00:33:39) unless it's to the higher power. But I'm (00:33:42) still working on how to surrender and (00:33:45) let go of certain things in relationship (00:33:47) with close ones or my relationship with (00:33:49) the tennis or you know if I lose a match (00:33:52) or tournament if I go through a crisis (00:33:54) period and you know how to not hold (00:33:57) something that that pulls me down or (00:33:59) regret or you know it's it's a constant (00:34:02) work but I I I feel like if you devote (00:34:06) the time on the daily basis whatever (00:34:08) works for you you had some of the most (00:34:10) amazing (00:34:11) uh guests on your show that talked about (00:34:14) from neuroscientists to doctors, (00:34:16) nutritionists and talked about the (00:34:18) healthy habits. So I I don't want to be (00:34:20) talking as them as I'm not an expert but (00:34:23) in my fields or so to say in my own life (00:34:25) and experience I feel like I'm an expert (00:34:27) because I have tried and developed so (00:34:29) many different things over the last 30 (00:34:31) years and and I know what works and what (00:34:34) doesn't in a way but going back to the (00:34:37) very beginning organization it's not (00:34:38) again a guarantee that it will keep on (00:34:40) working to the rest of my life but I (00:34:42) know what will is my dedicated time in a (00:34:47) day to this practice. ractice, (00:34:50) >> mental practice, physical practice, of (00:34:52) course, activity practice that I'm doing (00:34:55) in the gym outside and tennis court or (00:34:57) when I'm not training, I still do stuff. (00:34:59) I still do some yoga practice. I still (00:35:01) do stretching. I still do breathing. I (00:35:03) still I love the chiong and the Chinese (00:35:06) traditional medicine or Chinese (00:35:08) tradition practices. I think they're (00:35:11) super good and important that you can do (00:35:12) even in your chair. There's always (00:35:14) there's ways and it's incredible (00:35:16) nowadays an internet and I mean there's (00:35:19) access to incredible things. All it (00:35:21) takes is a willpower to do it and a (00:35:24) desire to say okay I'm consciously (00:35:27) making this decision to change my life (00:35:30) for better. And I'm going to start with (00:35:32) small steps. Super important. It's hard. (00:35:35) You have so much judgment in this (00:35:36) society in this world right it's it's (00:35:38) really hard for people as as we talked (00:35:40) about the environment. as much as effort (00:35:43) you're putting in and then you come with (00:35:45) your friends or or whatever with your (00:35:47) family members or and then they start to (00:35:49) judge you because you're starting to act (00:35:51) weird because you're not normal. You're (00:35:54) not conforming to the norms of the (00:35:55) society whatever they are because it's (00:35:57) quite relative. You know we all (00:35:58) different but you know the norms of (00:36:01) society are not really healthy ones (00:36:03) otherwise we wouldn't be where we are as (00:36:04) a world ecosystem as a whole and as (00:36:07) people and what we are doing to our (00:36:08) planet etc. there's a lot of uh (00:36:11) awakening happening and it's great to (00:36:13) see that change but it's not easy for (00:36:15) people and I understand that and it's (00:36:17) okay not to feel okay we heard that many (00:36:20) times as well and sometimes as I said (00:36:24) accepting and embracing for me and (00:36:26) letting go of the fact that I cannot (00:36:27) find a solution to something that (00:36:30) happens in my brain in my mind is also (00:36:31) fine (00:36:33) >> of being in a dark place for as long as (00:36:36) it requires is also a humane thing it's (00:36:39) also part of our life. I can see there's (00:36:42) also a narrative that I don't really (00:36:45) necessarily like or support in our let's (00:36:48) say wellness mindfulness space (00:36:51) well-being space where it's presented by (00:36:54) certain people in such way that you can (00:36:57) only think positive thoughts (00:36:59) >> and there's no room for negative (00:37:00) thoughts (00:37:01) >> that you know every picture or video (00:37:04) they post online is smiling it's great (00:37:06) life and so forth I mean that's not (00:37:09) possible right I (00:37:11) You cannot convince me that there is a (00:37:13) single person in this planet, even the (00:37:15) monk in Tibet that is meditating 24/7 or (00:37:20) an Orthodox Christian priest in a holy (00:37:22) island in Greece that is 24/7 praying, (00:37:27) you know, peace isolated in the cave (00:37:30) that is not experiencing some negative (00:37:32) thoughts. Mhm. (00:37:33) >> And I always go back to what one uh one (00:37:37) of my friends told me that I he's also (00:37:39) um mental coach and I worked with him (00:37:41) for years and one of his teachers is Zen (00:37:45) Buddhism teachers and he goes to the (00:37:47) temple in France often to his teacher (00:37:50) and he asked him in one of the first (00:37:52) times that he was there uh doing (00:37:54) retreats and spending time at the (00:37:56) temple. He says, "How are you so calm? (00:37:59) you know, how is it that nothing really (00:38:02) rivals you or unsettles you? Like you're (00:38:04) always so serene. (00:38:07) Uh you don't have any negative thoughts. (00:38:09) And he said the answer from the teacher (00:38:11) is that he says it's not true. He says I (00:38:15) probably have more negative thoughts and (00:38:18) more challenging thoughts and emotions (00:38:22) than you have. The difference between (00:38:24) you and me is my training and my ability (00:38:28) to not stay in that state and in that (00:38:30) emotion for a long time. (00:38:33) >> Mhm. (00:38:33) >> So I stay in it for seconds (00:38:36) >> and you stay in it for who knows. (00:38:38) >> Yeah. (00:38:38) >> Right. (00:38:39) >> So I I I think there's true wisdom in (00:38:42) that and it's all about practice (00:38:44) everything. I mean brain is a muscle (00:38:46) like any other (00:38:47) >> even consciousness that comes naturally (00:38:49) to us. I mean we are conscious spiritual (00:38:52) beings. We are souls on this planet in (00:38:55) this body. But in order for us to (00:38:58) connect with our true self, we need to (00:39:00) go through these layers, the constructs (00:39:03) of the society that has developed us in (00:39:06) a way has shaped us. And that requires (00:39:08) practice on a daily basis. And that's (00:39:11) not easy. Look, it's it's not easy not (00:39:13) switching on your phone or your TV the (00:39:15) first thing in the morning, but doing (00:39:17) something that is maybe not as healthy, (00:39:19) but being devoted to that practice or, (00:39:22) you know, during the day having that (00:39:24) little one, two, 5, 10, 20 minute rest (00:39:28) time and comprehension time. It's not (00:39:30) easy to do that, especially for people (00:39:32) that didn't develop that kind of habit. (00:39:34) It doesn't come naturally. I mean my (00:39:36) even though I don't like giving advice (00:39:38) as we talked about it but I like to (00:39:40) share something that works as a (00:39:42) suggestion something that works (00:39:44) extremely well for me and then and this (00:39:46) is crazy that even in the 21st century (00:39:48) we are even talking about this as a hack (00:39:51) it should be like an everyday thing that (00:39:54) it's a natural most natural thing is to (00:39:56) spend time in nature (00:39:58) >> listen to the birds chirping listen to (00:40:00) the wind feel the wind feel the I mean (00:40:02) if you're by seaside or oceanside walk (00:40:05) by the water or any water or pond or (00:40:09) lake or just be without a phone and in (00:40:12) nature, let the nature do its job and (00:40:15) heal you. And there's so much more power (00:40:19) to that than we actually think. (00:40:21) >> And and I felt like in the in the (00:40:23) darkest moments when I really don't want (00:40:25) to do any of these techniques or any of (00:40:27) the time indoors, I just go out and I (00:40:30) just I just go out and preferably walk (00:40:34) uphill. Mhm. (00:40:35) >> Because I feel like when you walk (00:40:37) uphill, your heart rate raises obviously (00:40:40) and because of that effort, you're even (00:40:42) more present. (00:40:43) >> So even less time for your thoughts to (00:40:47) consume you. So you're like fully (00:40:49) present. And then when you get to a (00:40:52) certain point high at the top, you feel (00:40:54) good about yourself because you've done (00:40:56) something. You're in the nature. You're (00:40:58) dedicated time to yourself. So I feel (00:41:00) like that's super powerful and it's (00:41:02) often times very underestimated. The (00:41:04) reason why I love hearing about your (00:41:05) practice is just because I think (00:41:08) >> I think an athletes mind is one of the (00:41:10) most unique places on earth because when (00:41:12) you're dealing with extremes every day (00:41:14) >> and every week and both extremes of (00:41:17) being number one and then losing a game (00:41:19) and you know everything that goes on the (00:41:22) toolkit you have is one of the most (00:41:24) versatile toolkits and and that's why I (00:41:26) asked that question was just to (00:41:27) understand what you do. I was going to (00:41:29) ask you like I feel like one of the most (00:41:30) challenging things and you probably (00:41:32) remember this when you are the new kid (00:41:34) on the block and you're playing all the (00:41:36) legends and today you're the legend and (00:41:39) you're playing the new kids on the block (00:41:41) and it must be such a fascinating (00:41:43) experience to go through and when you (00:41:45) talk about the power of letting go and (00:41:47) the power of surrender (00:41:49) >> I wanted you to talk to us about that (00:41:50) like what did it feel like when you were (00:41:52) the new kid on the block and you were (00:41:54) playing your legends that you looked up (00:41:55) to and now you're the legend you're the (00:41:57) goat you're the number one playing the (00:41:59) new kids on the block. Like what does (00:42:01) that mentally look like? (00:42:02) >> It's a completely different feeling (00:42:04) obviously and different perspective. I (00:42:07) mean when you're a teenager coming up (00:42:09) and then you know you you're in a (00:42:12) dreamland when you are just sharing a (00:42:15) locker room with the legends of the game (00:42:18) or the guys that you look up to your (00:42:20) biggest rivals. They're becoming your (00:42:22) biggest rivals later on. But at that (00:42:24) point they're heroes. They're like my (00:42:26) gosh. I mean, these guys, I've seen them (00:42:28) on the TV, and now I'm (00:42:29) >> Who is that? (00:42:31) >> I mean, look, my my idol growing up was (00:42:33) Pete Sampress. And even though Pete (00:42:37) Pete's game and my game are quite (00:42:39) different, I don't know, I loved his (00:42:41) demeanor. I loved his ability to cope (00:42:44) with the pressure and how he was coming (00:42:46) up with the best tennis when it mattered (00:42:48) the most. And that was a kind of a sign (00:42:51) of a greatest champion. I mean he was (00:42:53) holding a record for most slams and and (00:42:56) and weeks number one etc for a long time (00:42:59) until Roger came and Rafa of course and (00:43:02) then of course paved the way and then (00:43:05) you know looking up to them as well. (00:43:07) Even Nadal is only a year older than me (00:43:11) but he made a breakthrough earlier than (00:43:13) I did. it's already for a couple of (00:43:15) years he was on the tour when I started (00:43:18) coming in and he was already number two (00:43:20) in the world multiple slam winner and (00:43:22) etc. So, of course, it was kind of a (00:43:25) surreal experience for me and I tried to (00:43:28) enjoy it and embrace it, but at the same (00:43:31) time, (00:43:32) I felt like, okay, it's great to share (00:43:35) the court with these guys, but I want to (00:43:37) beat them, you know, I want to get the (00:43:39) biggest titles. I want to be number one. (00:43:41) I want to dominate. So I think that the (00:43:43) first kind of that wave that I was (00:43:46) riding on helped me to win my first slam (00:43:50) when I was 19 in uh Australia Australian (00:43:54) Open in 2008. And then I I won a couple (00:43:57) of big tournaments and so forth. I (00:43:59) reached the number two in the world, but (00:44:01) you know, I still wasn't number one. And (00:44:02) then I I had a three-year period. I (00:44:04) didn't win a slam. I was winning some (00:44:06) big tournaments, but I couldn't win a (00:44:07) slam. These two guys were beating me in (00:44:10) every big match, Feather and Adal. I (00:44:13) changed rackets, you know, team members. (00:44:16) I I did everything I can to kind of find (00:44:19) the the right formula. (00:44:21) And I was struggling physically as well. (00:44:23) I wasn't, you know, that's where (00:44:25) actually I had my transformative journey (00:44:27) nutrition-wise where I took out the (00:44:29) gluten and dairy products and refined (00:44:31) sugar. Up to that point, I was eating (00:44:34) all of the these things thinking, well, (00:44:36) I'm I'm eating relatively healthy. I (00:44:37) mean, relatively healthy. I thought, you (00:44:39) know, that's what I know. But then, you (00:44:41) know, when I started working with this (00:44:43) with this doctor and he he pointed out, (00:44:45) you know, you have strong gluten (00:44:46) intolerance. It messes up with your gut. (00:44:48) Got to take that out. You got to take (00:44:50) out the dairy product because that (00:44:52) creates a lot of inflammation in your (00:44:53) body. You might be able to eat it later (00:44:56) on, but not now. And refined sugar. (00:44:58) Absolutely. No. So, that was a huge (00:45:00) change, but I committed to it. And then (00:45:02) I felt that affected me. In fact, my (00:45:05) mental clarity, my recovery was much (00:45:08) better, my decision- making on the court (00:45:10) was better, etc. So, that helped a lot. (00:45:14) And of course, mentally as well, I was (00:45:15) working on certain programs that I had (00:45:18) from, you know, that were kind of not (00:45:20) really very positive and not not really (00:45:22) serving the purpose on the court of (00:45:23) winning a match. So that year in 2010 (00:45:28) 2011 is when I experienced a huge boost (00:45:31) of energy and transformation and that (00:45:33) change an unbeaten run of 40 plus (00:45:35) matches and had three slams and became (00:45:38) number one and had one of best season of (00:45:40) my life and that's where I everything (00:45:42) started going in the in the upwards (00:45:44) direction for me and learning also from (00:45:48) these guys and the matches that we've (00:45:50) played against each other was something (00:45:52) that was extremely important for me at (00:45:54) that time. I was of course trying to (00:45:57) consume as much as I can this energy of (00:45:59) the center court and everything and it (00:46:02) was overwhelming at times but I was also (00:46:05) very thorough in my analysis of the (00:46:08) matches afterwards even though I don't (00:46:10) necessarily (00:46:12) like to watch matches that I lost. But (00:46:14) you know, Kobe Bryant used to talk about (00:46:17) this a lot and I when I was talking to (00:46:19) him personally about that he would cuz I (00:46:22) tell him Kobe I really don't like you (00:46:24) know watching myself perform bad or when (00:46:27) I lost and it just gives me this cramps (00:46:30) in my stomach and I don't like it. And (00:46:32) he said even if it's just specific (00:46:37) intervals of the match that you lost (00:46:40) that you want to watch that you (00:46:42) definitely look at that and you need to (00:46:44) analyze that and you need to go through (00:46:46) that cramping feeling because that's (00:46:49) where you learn from those those (00:46:51) mistakes and that's where you have an (00:46:52) opportunity to rectify that the next (00:46:55) next tournament or next match and so (00:46:56) forth. So that helped a lot. And I do (00:46:59) watch the matches that I lost and (00:47:01) highlights and certain parts, but I (00:47:04) never watch the last point. I don't want (00:47:07) to watch the point where my opponent, (00:47:09) you know, fist bumps and raises his (00:47:11) hands. I just maybe it's I don't know. (00:47:13) It's a superstition or not, but but it's (00:47:16) just some some kind of a feeling that I (00:47:18) have. But yeah, I just, you know, those (00:47:20) rivalries really shaped me into the (00:47:22) person I am, into the player that I am, (00:47:24) and definitely grateful for for (00:47:26) everything that I experienced with these (00:47:28) guys. (00:47:28) >> And now the flip, now when you're (00:47:30) playing the younger players. Well, well, (00:47:32) now the flip is obviously an interesting (00:47:34) experience for me because uh when (00:47:37) Feather and Nadal and Murray, my biggest (00:47:40) rivals, retired actually most recently (00:47:44) uh in the in the last year or two, part (00:47:46) of me left with them and I and I really (00:47:49) feel that because and I I thought, well, (00:47:51) it's not going to be difficult for me to (00:47:54) kind of shift my attention in terms of (00:47:56) who are my principal rivals on the tour (00:48:00) from them to someone else. But, you (00:48:03) know, it is it is tough because, you (00:48:05) know, I'm used to these names, these (00:48:07) guys, these faces for 20 years and then (00:48:10) new faces come in and and it's normal uh (00:48:13) how can I say evolution of our sport and (00:48:16) it's normal that you have new (00:48:17) generations that are kind of come in and (00:48:19) dominate the tour. I'm experiencing (00:48:22) something I have never experienced (00:48:23) before, but that's that's also fine. you (00:48:26) know, I'm trying to embrace this journey (00:48:29) and but also I think what is very (00:48:32) important to me personally and and what (00:48:34) I have expressed directly to all of my (00:48:38) basically rivals currently today, the (00:48:41) young guys who are going to be the (00:48:44) carriers of the tennis for the next (00:48:46) decade is that I'm here for them to (00:48:51) share my experience even though it's (00:48:53) difficult because we're facing each (00:48:56) But I still feel that in a way that's (00:48:58) also my role. It's also my (00:49:00) responsibility. (00:49:01) And it's also a great opportunity for me (00:49:04) to do that because I re it really fills (00:49:06) my heart with joy that I'm able to (00:49:09) convey my experiences, my knowledge, (00:49:12) whatever that I can from my journey to a (00:49:15) new generations because naturally the (00:49:18) tennis should get better and we all want (00:49:20) tennis to get better to be better and I (00:49:23) want somebody to break my record in the (00:49:25) future or all of the records. Why not? I (00:49:27) mean this is how it should be. if I can (00:49:30) contribute in in a in a way where I can (00:49:33) say hey aside of the the barriers that (00:49:36) we created in a rivalry if you need help (00:49:39) with I don't know public relations if (00:49:41) it's you know marketing if it's dealing (00:49:44) with the outside world as well that is (00:49:45) very difficult dealing with anxiety we (00:49:48) all have that you know we all know how (00:49:50) it is to feel alone you let yourself (00:49:53) down or you let other people down mental (00:49:56) challenges in a high level professional (00:49:59) sport are 100% present with everyone. (00:50:03) It's just a matter of how you deal with (00:50:05) it, who you have in your support system (00:50:07) that can help you. So, I feel like it it (00:50:10) was great when I was able as a kid to (00:50:13) ask some of the the the guys who were (00:50:16) playing at the top level, you know, some (00:50:18) of the questions that were interesting (00:50:20) me and that just hearing from them two (00:50:23) or three sentences of how they think (00:50:25) that they were dealing with it and how (00:50:26) that affected them was huge to me. Even (00:50:29) if you heard it from someone else, but (00:50:31) just hearing it from them, it just has (00:50:33) this resonant power and impact and it (00:50:35) did help me a lot. I didn't have it from (00:50:37) my top rivals at the time, but I had it (00:50:40) from some guys like even Lubichic, for (00:50:41) example, who was, you know, fellow (00:50:43) Croatian tennis player, and he was a (00:50:45) number three or four in the world at (00:50:47) that point. And then I was uh breaking (00:50:49) through as a teenager and we shared the (00:50:50) same tennis coach. He influenced me in a (00:50:54) positive way to like change the racket (00:50:56) or string pattern or strings and all of (00:50:59) these small details that you might not (00:51:02) think that are maybe relevant or but you (00:51:04) hear them. you hear it from them and (00:51:06) then you're like, "Okay, now I'm ready (00:51:08) to make the decision because I trust (00:51:09) what he tells me cuz you know he's a (00:51:11) testament to what he's preaching (00:51:14) basically." (00:51:14) >> Yeah. Yeah. It's so interesting because (00:51:16) I love that you offered that. I was (00:51:18) talking to Carmelo Anthony recently, the (00:51:20) basketball player from the Knicks and (00:51:22) >> you know, very successful Hall of Famer (00:51:25) >> and he was telling me that in basketball (00:51:27) he doesn't find the young players being (00:51:30) that open (00:51:31) >> to coaching and guidance from the senior (00:51:34) players. How do you find it in tennis? (00:51:35) Is it more open? Is there Did you get (00:51:37) people coming back and saying, "Novak, I (00:51:39) have loads of questions for you." (00:51:40) >> Yeah, I would agree with that with (00:51:42) Carmelo because also in tennis because (00:51:44) it's an individual sport as well, it (00:51:46) makes it even more isolated solitude (00:51:48) sport where you are focused on your team (00:51:53) and you create your own environment, (00:51:55) community, and you're like excluding (00:51:57) everything else, which is (00:51:58) understandable, you know, to some point. (00:52:00) Contrary to let's say basketball, we we (00:52:03) do share the locker room. So we sitting (00:52:06) next to each other or warming up next to (00:52:08) each other playing finals for the (00:52:09) biggest tournament, which is crazy to (00:52:12) think about it, you know, whereas, you (00:52:13) know, obviously the the basketball or (00:52:15) football, soccer, you know, these guys, (00:52:17) they don't see each other until they (00:52:18) actually on the court. We, you know, (00:52:21) look at each other, send each other (00:52:23) looks, our team members send each other (00:52:25) looks in the locker room and stuff. And (00:52:26) so the battle starts already there. So (00:52:29) from that point of view, it's kind of (00:52:30) hard to expect that they would come and (00:52:32) say, "Hey, look, you know, give me some (00:52:35) advice. How I how can I beat you?" But (00:52:38) uh but that's why I'm saying like (00:52:39) there's many more other things that can (00:52:42) be very helpful like outside of the (00:52:44) court. (00:52:45) >> And yes, there are some young players (00:52:47) that are how can I say open, more (00:52:50) flexible, more curious. And I think it's (00:52:54) not maybe not so much about that, but (00:52:55) it's it's about how shy you are or how (00:52:58) courageous you are to really, you know, (00:53:01) break that boundary and not be afraid of (00:53:04) coming to me or to someone that you look (00:53:07) up to and say, "Hey, can I ask you a (00:53:09) question?" You know, more often I would (00:53:12) get questions through their team (00:53:14) members, to my team members, to me. (00:53:16) >> Yeah. (00:53:17) >> And so, and then I would approach them (00:53:18) and say, "Hey, you can, you know, you (00:53:20) can talk to me. There's no problem." (00:53:21) Yeah. but you know I don't want to (00:53:22) bother you and stuff like this. So yeah (00:53:24) I I think it's very nice if you have (00:53:26) that exchange even if it's a a short one (00:53:29) because the level of appreciation and (00:53:32) respect which I think is ultimately the (00:53:35) most important thing in sports you know (00:53:37) yes we all want to win. Yes we all want (00:53:39) to be the best. Yes we all want to make (00:53:41) records in history. (00:53:43) appreciating (00:53:45) what your fellow athlete goes through. (00:53:48) Compassionate, being compassionate and (00:53:50) empathizing with him or her and (00:53:52) respecting the process is something that (00:53:56) is more eternal. (00:53:58) >> Yeah. (00:53:59) >> In your heart, in your soul, and in in (00:54:02) the eyes of all the other people than (00:54:04) any achievement or any success. I mean, (00:54:06) that's at least how I see it. (00:54:07) >> I love that. I I couldn't agree with you (00:54:09) more because I always try to remind (00:54:10) people that the only person who can (00:54:12) truly relate to you (00:54:14) >> is that person. Like your competitors (00:54:17) are the only people who can actually (00:54:19) relate (00:54:20) >> to what it feels like to be you because (00:54:23) your team, they can't fully relate. Of (00:54:25) course they can relate. They play tennis (00:54:26) and they understand the game. (00:54:28) >> But they don't know what it feels like (00:54:29) to be in that locker room before you go (00:54:31) on to be at the net when the score is (00:54:34) not in your favor. Like even I talk (00:54:36) about even in our industry like I like (00:54:38) to be friends with everyone in my (00:54:40) industry and I like to connect with (00:54:41) anyone that you genuinely get along with (00:54:44) because for me I'm like you're the only (00:54:46) person who understands what it feels (00:54:48) like (00:54:49) >> to interview people to get the public (00:54:52) criticism to have the scrutiny to be (00:54:55) careful about what you're saying to you (00:54:56) know whatever it may be and if I'm not (00:54:59) friends with you I I have my friends (00:55:01) from back home in London who I loved and (00:55:03) my best friends but They don't know what (00:55:05) it feels like to do this, right? (00:55:06) >> And so in this part of my life, there's (00:55:09) a difference. I wonder with you, you've (00:55:11) been through and and I want to talk (00:55:12) about some really pivotal moments. (00:55:14) You've been through so many injuries, (00:55:16) losses, all of that (00:55:18) >> at this point in your career when you've (00:55:20) achieved so much, you've been through so (00:55:21) much. What goes through your mind when (00:55:24) you lose? Now (00:55:25) >> answer that, but just want to reflect on (00:55:27) what you said on the industry because I (00:55:28) think it's super important. Uh um and (00:55:31) that's the mentality the right kind of (00:55:33) mentality and the philosophy of uh (00:55:35) instead of division it's unity it's (00:55:38) collaboration it's understanding it's (00:55:41) support it's respect it's appreciation (00:55:44) it's coming together it's growing (00:55:45) industry together understanding that (00:55:48) you're all yes you are competitors I (00:55:51) mean even in your industry you compete (00:55:53) for the audience and so forth and (00:55:55) there's a lot of you know podcasts out (00:55:56) there and it's understandable to a (00:55:59) certain point that you know there are (00:56:01) certain formulas that you developed and (00:56:04) tools that you want to keep to yourself (00:56:06) which is 100% understandable but at the (00:56:09) same time overall in a general (00:56:11) perspective of things we are part of the (00:56:13) same industry we need to grow we need to (00:56:15) grow this awareness so that's how I also (00:56:17) see it for tennis you know in sports (00:56:20) even more so competition (00:56:23) and kind of a fierce mentality is so (00:56:27) prominent to the point where like for (00:56:30) example in basketball I love basketball (00:56:32) you know Serbia is a country of of (00:56:34) basketball is our you know national (00:56:35) sport number one and you have well (00:56:39) intentionally maybe in a in a midst of a (00:56:42) battle under the rim fighting for a (00:56:46) rebound hurt somebody and that's (00:56:48) somebody you elbow somebody okay and (00:56:50) that somebody's down and you can see him (00:56:52) in pain and you don't come and give him (00:56:55) a hand and says hey man sorry let's go I (00:56:58) don't see how that exposes your weakness (00:57:02) because I think that's in the in the (00:57:04) center of everything. It's like (00:57:06) >> don't show your weakness, don't show (00:57:08) your vulnerability, be strong, be tough, (00:57:11) whatever. Of course, we have to be (00:57:13) tough, be strong, be whatever, be fierce (00:57:15) in terms of like wanting to win and (00:57:17) finding way to win. But that doesn't (00:57:19) mean that we can be also human beings (00:57:22) that hey if if I did something to you in (00:57:24) a contact sport like basketball if it's (00:57:26) a foul or something like that hey you (00:57:29) just give him a hand one second and says (00:57:31) whatever let's go let's keep it going (00:57:33) that doesn't mean that you will not (00:57:34) battle in the next minute again. (00:57:36) >> Yeah. So that's the part which I don't (00:57:38) really understand fully or don't support (00:57:40) it but that's why like I feel like (00:57:42) coming together and really showing that (00:57:45) respect even if it's you know before the (00:57:48) game and after the game it really (00:57:51) resonates with people it does send (00:57:53) overall a good message and I think it (00:57:56) improves the sport and brings people (00:57:57) more together. Now to to your question (00:58:00) about losing a match, right? That was (00:58:03) >> Yeah. Like at this stage of your career, (00:58:04) I feel like you've obviously we've (00:58:06) talked about it. You're satisfied. (00:58:08) You've succeeded. You've come back from (00:58:10) like being down on points like and I'm (00:58:13) trying to get into your mindset just (00:58:15) where it's at today and and how it's (00:58:17) evolved over time. Like (00:58:18) >> what does it feel now when you lose have (00:58:20) an early exit? Like what does that feel (00:58:22) like now compared to before? (00:58:24) >> As hard as hard as it was before. Yeah. (00:58:27) Sometimes there is no rule. Sometimes it (00:58:30) takes me an hour, sometimes half a day, (00:58:34) sometimes a day, sometimes a week to go (00:58:35) over the loss. I mean, it just really (00:58:38) depends. But right after the match, (00:58:42) you know, I would uh if I have to (00:58:44) reflect shortly about the match with my (00:58:46) team, but I just want to be left alone. (00:58:49) Yeah. I just have to go through my (00:58:51) process. I don't like the the chitchat, (00:58:55) the small talk of trying to lift my (00:58:57) spirits up right after the match. I just (00:59:00) like just give me some time. I need to (00:59:03) isolate myself, go in my room, go (00:59:05) outside, walk, whatever it is, you know, (00:59:08) just blow some steam out. And then when (00:59:11) I do that, then I'm ready to, you know, (00:59:14) talk, socialize, and stuff like this. I (00:59:16) don't know whether that's something that (00:59:19) is good or not in general terms. Uh but (00:59:22) that's just me. I feel like it's really (00:59:25) hard for me to digest that I lost the (00:59:27) match. As I said, sometimes takes (00:59:29) longer, sometimes shorter to get out of (00:59:30) it. But I do need definitely like few (00:59:33) hours to not see anybody. Like I I hug (00:59:37) my kids. If I see my kids, you know, my (00:59:39) kids sometimes within those few hours, (00:59:41) they get me and they're like, "Daddy, we (00:59:44) have to do this. You have to take me (00:59:45) there and stuff." So kids have that (00:59:47) permission to come into my space but you (00:59:51) know anybody else I just need some some (00:59:53) time and I (00:59:54) >> I just feel like it's sometimes is (00:59:57) necessary to have that and in solitude (00:59:59) is not necessarily bad (01:00:01) >> and I feel like we all need to learn how (01:00:03) to embrace being in in solitude and (01:00:06) being by and enjoy being by ourselves (01:00:08) doesn't mean that we have to go to total (01:00:11) extreme but it has to be balanced and (01:00:13) optimal but we need to create that time (01:00:16) for ourselves because also being bored (01:00:20) is good you know being bored this is (01:00:22) something very interesting you know that (01:00:24) I also see with my with my kids like (01:00:26) particularly with my son keeps on (01:00:28) telling me he's 10 and he's like daddy (01:00:30) like he just recently told me a few days (01:00:32) ago we were at at my parents' place (01:00:35) countryside by the lake and we were (01:00:39) alone and he was we were playing (01:00:41) different we were playing ping pong we (01:00:43) were doing some uh kayaking in the lake. (01:00:47) So, and we played some football, soccer. (01:00:49) So, we had a quite active few hours of (01:00:52) first few hours of the day. And then I (01:00:55) was doing something else. I don't know (01:00:57) what I was doing. And then he come up (01:00:58) comes up to me. He's like, "Daddy, I'm (01:01:00) bored." And then I had him sit down with (01:01:02) me and then I said, "But son, it's okay (01:01:05) to be bored sometimes. First of all, you (01:01:07) had a great active morning and you did a (01:01:10) lot of things. And second of all, you (01:01:14) know, when you're bored, it doesn't mean (01:01:16) that you have to instantly take a book (01:01:19) or a screen or anything else. You need (01:01:22) to also learn how to be with your (01:01:25) thoughts. And if you are not comfortable (01:01:28) being bored indoors, go outdoors. Sit on (01:01:30) a chair and have have some drink and (01:01:33) just look at the sky. And I and I think (01:01:36) that's much easier said than done. And I (01:01:40) and I I really would love my my children (01:01:42) to to be able to be okay with being (01:01:44) bored because that's the time when (01:01:46) you're actually most creative or that's (01:01:49) the time when you can manage your (01:01:52) thoughts and everything that you have (01:01:54) been suppressing by distracting yourself (01:01:56) with phone with whatever it is. They (01:01:58) don't have my kids don't have phones. (01:01:59) They're 10 and seven and and that's (01:02:02) another conversation. But you know it's (01:02:04) it's a struggle but it's important you (01:02:06) know I think it's super important (01:02:07) particularly for them at this young age (01:02:09) to understand and develop a connection (01:02:12) with nature with outdoors with activity (01:02:14) with all these things and then it's (01:02:16) inevitable you know soon it will come a (01:02:20) moment where they'll have the the (01:02:21) screens and well they're blend into the (01:02:23) society's norms and but at least I'll be (01:02:27) comfortable as a parent that I done what (01:02:29) I can to instill some of the (01:02:32) foundational things in them that they (01:02:34) will appreciate maybe not now but later (01:02:37) on in life. I think also, you know, when (01:02:39) I lose a match, I want to be distracted (01:02:42) by something. I want to have my phone. I (01:02:44) want to watch something, read something. (01:02:46) I wanna I want to distract myself. And (01:02:49) that's one of the bad habits that I (01:02:50) have. So, it's it's a battle for me. And (01:02:53) that normally how I win this battle is (01:02:56) just go outside. And I either don't take (01:02:59) my phone, I'll leave it, or if I take (01:03:00) it, I'll just if I'm in the city, I'll (01:03:03) just listen to something, listen to Jay (01:03:06) Shett's podcast on purpose, or I would (01:03:08) do something, you know, just or normally (01:03:10) I would listen to a music, (01:03:12) >> you know, relaxing just to kind of calm (01:03:14) myself. I would prefer not listening to (01:03:17) anything and just being immersed in (01:03:19) whatever is outdoors and trying to (01:03:21) trying to find a park, trying to find (01:03:23) anything natural, you know, and I think (01:03:26) that helps a lot. But I do need my time. (01:03:28) >> Yeah, that that's reaffirming for me (01:03:30) because if I'm having a tough time, I've (01:03:33) always found that being alone, I have to (01:03:36) first make sense of how I feel about (01:03:39) something before I hear everyone else's (01:03:41) feelings, right? because otherwise (01:03:43) someone's feeling won't satisfy me. So (01:03:46) even if someone said and I I assume (01:03:48) that's what you're saying. If someone (01:03:49) came up to me and goes, "Oh J, but (01:03:50) everything's going to be all right." (01:03:52) >> It's like if I don't feel that and if I (01:03:54) don't believe that, it doesn't matter (01:03:56) how many times someone says that (01:03:57) >> and and of course the intention is good (01:03:59) for that person. But it's hard for you (01:04:01) to see that at a given moment. (01:04:03) >> Correct. (01:04:03) >> So I I agree with that. And I think to (01:04:05) to the point of distractions, I don't (01:04:08) think that necessarily distractions are (01:04:11) 100% super negative. (01:04:13) >> And I'll explain. I I I think that for a (01:04:16) lot of people, they need a moment, (01:04:20) however that moment lasts to it looks (01:04:24) like they're distracting themselves like (01:04:26) when I do it, but it what I what I do is (01:04:29) just bringing myself back to that (01:04:32) center, whatever that is. Okay. And then (01:04:36) I'm ready to do some other practice of (01:04:39) breathing or whatever it is or I can (01:04:41) socialize. I can start speaking with (01:04:43) people. Yes. And do other things. So I (01:04:45) don't feel it's necessarily bad unless (01:04:47) you don't have any control of it. Unless (01:04:49) it just carries you into hours and hours (01:04:52) of playing games or being on social (01:04:54) media of being if it's that then it's (01:04:57) not good. Yeah. (01:04:58) >> Then it's not good because then you're (01:04:59) disrupting your own rhythm. Well, what (01:05:02) you're doing is you're disrupting the (01:05:04) pattern, right? (01:05:05) >> So, instead of being there and then (01:05:06) you're just playing the game again in (01:05:07) your head and being down on yourself and (01:05:10) being negative and (01:05:12) >> and so you're disrupting that pattern (01:05:14) with the distraction and then that's a (01:05:16) good thing because then you don't get (01:05:17) into that spiral and it's not like (01:05:18) you're checking what people said on the (01:05:20) comments about the game, right? You're (01:05:22) dis you're disconnecting from the game. (01:05:24) >> I'm disconnecting. Well, the thing is (01:05:26) that if you're on social media, which I (01:05:28) I do have a tendency to go to social (01:05:30) media as well, like right after, even (01:05:32) though (01:05:33) >> I don't want to, but part of me wants (01:05:35) to. It's also where I find some short (01:05:37) clips of what happened in the match and (01:05:39) then kind of like analyze what what (01:05:41) happened and how I why I did what I did (01:05:43) or whatever, what could I could could (01:05:45) have done better. (01:05:47) >> And then I see, you know, this obviously (01:05:49) this shocking headlines like Jookovic is (01:05:52) out, you know, he lost. I mean, what a (01:05:53) shock early blah blah blah. then I get (01:05:56) pissed off and then I just switch that (01:05:58) off. Right? So I don't even get to the (01:06:00) comments or section or anything like (01:06:01) that. Then I just leave it for whatever (01:06:04) whatever time. And then what you're (01:06:06) doing is you are changing that state (01:06:10) you're in. Cuz if you are really wired (01:06:15) in that moment, you are like almost (01:06:18) going to burst. It's not good. I mean, (01:06:22) how can you have a a rational (01:06:24) conversation with anybody if you're in (01:06:27) that state? And then normally in that (01:06:29) state, if you start making decisions (01:06:31) when you're hotaded, not good as well. I (01:06:34) think that these are the the ways of (01:06:36) like if you can like cool yourself down (01:06:40) and then I mean a cold shower is (01:06:42) something that I also do sometimes when (01:06:44) I'm coldheaded that I think also helps (01:06:46) with kind of biology and I feel like (01:06:49) physiology just like helps my mind my (01:06:53) brain calm down and then I'm able to (01:06:56) address topics that I want to address. (01:06:58) >> It's almost like what it takes to be to (01:07:00) emotionally regulate. (01:07:02) >> Yeah. And if you go straight into (01:07:04) analyzing the game or talking about it, (01:07:06) you're actually heartbeat's going up, (01:07:08) you're breathing shallow again, you're (01:07:10) replaying the miss shot, and all of a (01:07:12) sudden you're just bombarded by all the (01:07:14) same emotions again. And so you've got (01:07:16) to sometimes just calm that down before (01:07:18) you can do that effectively. It makes a (01:07:20) lot of sense. But what I love hearing, (01:07:21) which is what I love about all my (01:07:23) favorite athletes, and you're (01:07:24) definitely, you know, when I think about (01:07:26) my favorite athletes, you're in tennis, (01:07:28) Cristiano in soccer, Lewis Hamilton in (01:07:31) in F1. Like people sometimes will make (01:07:33) fun of Cristiano online for still crying (01:07:35) when he loses. (01:07:37) >> I love that. Like, as a fan, I love (01:07:39) that. Like, I love to see that he's he's (01:07:41) crying after all this time. Like, you (01:07:44) know, he's the number one goal scorer in (01:07:45) the world. He's, you know, in my (01:07:47) opinion, he's achieved everything he (01:07:48) could possibly could. He's played (01:07:50) amazing for his country, same way as (01:07:52) you. (01:07:53) >> But it's like he's still crying and the (01:07:55) game's not even It's not the Champions (01:07:57) League. (01:07:58) >> He cares. (01:07:58) >> Yeah, he cares. Exactly. (01:07:59) >> He cares and and I I agree with you. I (01:08:02) think Well, this is the point that we (01:08:04) discussed on particularly men (01:08:07) professional sports there's no room for (01:08:10) vulnerability and because that shows (01:08:12) weakness. weakness exploits you and when (01:08:15) something exploits you then you're (01:08:17) vulnerable to you know lose the match or (01:08:20) game or whatever it is. I mean that (01:08:22) that's the narrative. When you're crying (01:08:24) you are yeah you're you're often (01:08:27) regarded as a very weak man and I have (01:08:32) had the same view for quite a long time (01:08:34) I must say and I changed that about 10 (01:08:37) years ago my upbringing there was no (01:08:40) room for emotions that was just like (01:08:42) serious I have to do my job and I have (01:08:45) to be successful no room for error etc. (01:08:49) But it also you know comes from I think (01:08:52) my home where I didn't have that (01:08:53) relationship where I when I would cry I (01:08:56) would be you know with my father (01:08:58) especially that I would feel safe I (01:09:00) would not feel that and and so I had to (01:09:04) not cry and be tough and then I have to (01:09:08) I kind of close myself you know and and (01:09:10) to the point where I wasn't able to (01:09:12) express myself emotionally I didn't at (01:09:14) the time when I started dating my (01:09:16) girlfriend at the time my wife you you (01:09:18) know, it was hard for me to to kind of (01:09:21) express what I feel even though I I'm (01:09:24) very talkative person. I'm very, you (01:09:26) know, I like to communicate and I feel (01:09:29) like I'm very approachable in that in (01:09:31) that sense. But for a long time, that (01:09:33) was that was a kind of a narrative, (01:09:34) particularly in, you know, men's sports (01:09:35) as we talked about it. So I I do like (01:09:38) that about Cristiano as well because in (01:09:40) the end of the day, you know, he's (01:09:41) giving his heart out on the pitch for (01:09:46) his team for the fans and that (01:09:50) ultimately needs to be respected because (01:09:53) the guy at his age 40 after everything (01:09:55) he has achieved still going, still wants (01:09:58) to win in a league that is far weaker (01:10:01) than the best leagues in Europe, you (01:10:03) know, but he still has this champions (01:10:05) mentality and he'll always have it as (01:10:07) long as he's playing. So, uh yeah, (01:10:10) absolutely credit to him for that and (01:10:11) and I do resonate with with that and I (01:10:15) cried many times after my losses in the (01:10:18) locker room but also on the court (01:10:20) particularly after Olympics like losses (01:10:22) at Olympic games for my country or Davis (01:10:25) Cup when I play for my country that's (01:10:26) like even stronger intensity of emotions (01:10:29) that you go through because you're not (01:10:32) playing for yourself only in that way. I (01:10:35) mean, when I play all the tournaments, I (01:10:37) always represent my country. But here in (01:10:39) this official team competitions or (01:10:40) Olympics, it's even more emphasized the (01:10:44) importance of your country of wearing (01:10:46) those colors, you know, on your sleeve (01:10:49) or in your heart. So, when you lose, (01:10:51) you're like, you know, you're so down (01:10:54) and the whole world collapsed. I'm very (01:10:57) happy that I I was able to win the (01:10:59) golden medal for my country last year in (01:11:01) Paris Olympics because it was a long (01:11:03) time dream of mine and the Olympic Games (01:11:06) are just so special. You know, every (01:11:08) four years I know LA is the next one (01:11:09) obviously. (01:11:10) >> My wish is to be able to play LA. I mean (01:11:13) hopefully I'll be still still playing to (01:11:15) to be able to participate. (01:11:16) >> Yeah, I hope so too. It would be fun to (01:11:18) be able to just watch you locally for (01:11:20) once. (01:11:21) >> And we got the soccer world coming to (01:11:22) America, too. So, (01:11:24) >> it's an exciting time. But no, it's I (01:11:26) love hearing that as well. Just like (01:11:28) when you're playing for yourself, you (01:11:29) let yourself down. You let the fans (01:11:31) down. But when you're playing for your (01:11:32) country, you let the country down. And (01:11:35) you know, no one wants to let their (01:11:36) country down. No one wants to, you know, (01:11:38) everyone wants to represent well. And I (01:11:41) think sometimes at a national level, (01:11:43) athletes get it really tough when you (01:11:46) lose for your country. Yes. (01:11:47) >> It's it's one of the hardest feelings (01:11:49) cuz Yeah. It's a different emotion. And (01:11:52) I think we forget as fans and followers, (01:11:54) you forget the human (01:11:57) >> experience aspect. Yeah. (01:11:59) >> No, for sure. I mean, look, we are very (01:12:02) blessed as athletes on the highest level (01:12:04) to be able to play the sport that we (01:12:07) fell in love with because if not all, (01:12:09) but super majority of professional (01:12:12) athletes play those sports on the (01:12:14) highest level. uh because when they were (01:12:17) kids they wanted to play tennis, (01:12:20) basketball, football, whatever. They (01:12:21) fell in love and it's a love and passion (01:12:24) for the game that got you going. So it's (01:12:28) important to state that because you know (01:12:31) we are for sure fortunate ones but at (01:12:34) the same time we feel that through sport (01:12:36) we are able to connect with people and (01:12:39) people are able to connect (01:12:41) >> with the virtues that sport and the (01:12:44) values that sport represents that help (01:12:46) them in their everyday life. I think (01:12:49) they that's not something that is has (01:12:51) been talked about a lot. (01:12:52) >> Yeah I agree on how why is it that our (01:12:54) sports are so popular? Why is it that (01:12:57) people relate to athletes? It's because (01:13:00) of this grit, because of this battle. We (01:13:03) all go through internal battle on the (01:13:04) daily basis. And in sports, we can of (01:13:08) course admire the the features of um an (01:13:11) athlete and the skills and the talent (01:13:15) and the abilities, but at the same time, (01:13:18) we also identify ourselves with those (01:13:20) athletes. We we feel like (01:13:23) >> wow you know that this game or a match (01:13:26) it's in a way a condensed daily life or (01:13:30) a condensed life into an hour or two or (01:13:33) three where you you start at the (01:13:35) beginning you're even then you end up (01:13:39) you know winning or losing but in the (01:13:41) process or journey of the match and the (01:13:44) game you're going through ups and downs (01:13:46) you're going and particularly in the (01:13:48) individual sports you're going you (01:13:49) mentioned Lewis Hamilton another great (01:13:51) legend. You're going through that battle (01:13:53) of you know trying to win that inner (01:13:56) battle where you go through your doubts, (01:13:58) your worries, your fears. So all of (01:14:02) these elements are part of everyday life (01:14:05) of everyday person and that's why I feel (01:14:08) like people relate to sports and also (01:14:10) they they when they go to see sport live (01:14:13) particularly but also when they watch it (01:14:15) on TV I feel they're able because they (01:14:18) they are so connected to the community (01:14:20) of that club or that athlete or whatever (01:14:23) it is they feel like all of their (01:14:26) problems stop at least for those hour (01:14:30) two three hours that they are watching (01:14:32) >> and they feel like they can also when (01:14:35) they're watching I mean that's my (01:14:37) observation and experience with tennis (01:14:39) fans for example or or I mean of course (01:14:42) I watch basketball live as well or the (01:14:44) other fans of the other sports is that (01:14:45) that's where they feel like they can (01:14:48) free themselves of the emotions and the (01:14:51) burdens that are kind of wearing them (01:14:52) down and and some sometimes it really (01:14:56) goes to an extreme level where people (01:15:00) start really or swearing and fighting (01:15:02) and throwing stuff at the the athletes (01:15:05) and behaving really bad like hooligans. (01:15:07) And that's obviously a part that I don't (01:15:09) support. But I can see that there's a (01:15:12) lot of people that like it's why that's (01:15:14) why like after a game they either feel (01:15:15) drained or they feel energized. M (01:15:18) >> they either feel like they've (01:15:20) kind of like collected that energy from (01:15:22) the stadium or they feel like they're (01:15:25) completely like a deflated balloon (01:15:27) because they've, you know, been through (01:15:30) crazy intensity of the emotions and they (01:15:34) relate. They follow every point and (01:15:37) every second of the game and then they (01:15:39) in the end of course if their team loses (01:15:41) it's it's a big difference than when (01:15:43) they win. But it's just that (01:15:45) identification that happens that I feel (01:15:48) like is super strong and why sports are (01:15:50) so important for the society and why (01:15:52) people regarded as very something very (01:15:54) popular and important for them. And I'm (01:15:56) really glad you're having that (01:15:57) conversation because I think it can have (01:15:59) even as a kid like I grew up playing (01:16:01) sport never you know good enough to play (01:16:03) at any semi-professional even (01:16:05) professional level but sport created (01:16:07) discipline in my life even as someone (01:16:09) who wasn't (01:16:10) >> you know that prolificate sport it (01:16:12) created discipline created teamwork if (01:16:14) you were playing a team sport created (01:16:16) timeliness created commitment created (01:16:18) showing up there were so many healthy (01:16:21) valuable masculine (01:16:22) >> traits as well that were so important (01:16:24) and of course for women as well. And (01:16:27) it's interesting what you say about it (01:16:29) going the toxic side because I think it (01:16:31) was the last Euros of the World Cup and (01:16:34) there was this statistic about how (01:16:35) domestic violence in England goes up if (01:16:39) England lose (01:16:40) >> but it goes up even more if England win. (01:16:44) >> Oh wow. (01:16:44) >> Because people drink more when they win. (01:16:46) >> Right. (01:16:46) >> So and that's just so shocking that you (01:16:49) see that connection too. And that's why (01:16:51) I think it's even more important to get (01:16:53) these positive messages through sport (01:16:55) out so that we don't have that kind of a (01:16:58) statistic because and that's (01:17:00) specifically to do with football, (01:17:01) soccer. (01:17:02) >> Yes, of course. (01:17:02) >> Um but (01:17:03) >> no, it is a super important and I think (01:17:04) but in in football it's far more extreme (01:17:07) than in tennis in terms of the (01:17:09) >> tennis ultra fans and you know the kind (01:17:12) of like uh (01:17:14) >> following and and uh being such an ultra (01:17:18) devoted fan. I mean, they literally live (01:17:20) for that the entire year, which I think (01:17:22) it's beautiful when you see (01:17:24) choreographies of some fans in the (01:17:26) basketball games or football games and (01:17:29) and it's just it's it's arts. It's (01:17:31) beautiful, you know, and then this (01:17:33) energy when thousands and tens of (01:17:35) thousands of people start singing (01:17:36) together for their club. I mean, it's (01:17:39) it's incredible feeling. That's why we (01:17:42) all love being present to experience (01:17:43) that because ultimately (01:17:45) >> human beings love to experience things (01:17:49) because that (01:17:50) >> that fills our life (01:17:52) >> and and then sports allow us to do that. (01:17:54) that allow us to experience some (01:17:56) incredible enthusiastic (01:17:59) exhilarating type of uh uplifting (01:18:03) energy, joy, but it also the sadness or (01:18:08) or anxiousness and stuff and and so all (01:18:11) of these emotions that you go through is (01:18:13) just an incredible school of life in (01:18:16) some way. But you're right, you know, it (01:18:19) also teaches professional sports teach a (01:18:21) great dis great deal of discipline and (01:18:23) also the never giving up spirit that I (01:18:27) think it's it's it's important for (01:18:29) people because today in the society (01:18:31) because (01:18:33) >> a lot of people look to to conform to be (01:18:35) comfortable to you know there's always (01:18:37) you know something that I can do (01:18:39) differently they don't finish things so (01:18:40) it's important to kind of remind (01:18:42) yourself to be devoted and and not give (01:18:45) up and believe that you you know, (01:18:47) achieve something that you set yourself (01:18:49) up to. And uh so yeah, sports sports (01:18:52) definitely send those values and you're (01:18:54) right, it's important to always (01:18:55) emphasize that. (01:18:56) >> Yeah. One of my favorite stories (01:18:58) actually (01:18:59) of that never give up mindset was (01:19:02) Vanessa Bryant tells this story after (01:19:05) Kobe Bryant tragically passed away. And (01:19:08) she said that Kobe played through a lot (01:19:10) of games, especially finals, when he was (01:19:13) injured. (01:19:13) >> Yeah. and she would ask him and say, (01:19:17) "Why are you playing when you're (01:19:18) injured? You should just not play. Like, (01:19:20) it's okay." And he would say that if I (01:19:24) don't play, there's going to be a fan (01:19:26) out there who's saved up (01:19:28) >> to watch this game and they can only (01:19:30) come to one game in their life cuz it's (01:19:32) expensive to get seats. And they saved (01:19:34) up to watch me play. And if I don't (01:19:35) play, they won't see me play. And so, (01:19:38) I'm going to play through an injury. And (01:19:40) I'm like, when you hear stories like (01:19:41) that of athletes doing incredible (01:19:44) things, you think, wow, like (01:19:46) >> that's the power, that's the motivation. (01:19:48) I was going to ask you, I mean, you've (01:19:50) played through and overcome some bad (01:19:52) injuries. What's the worst injury that (01:19:55) you ever had to overcome to be able to (01:19:57) come back at the top? I had a surgery of (01:20:00) my elbow back in 2017 and I've kind of (01:20:03) uh had that injury for a year and a half (01:20:05) and I tried with I don't normally drink (01:20:08) anti-inflammatories. I don't like that (01:20:10) those tablets and (01:20:13) cortisol shots or anything like that. I (01:20:16) feel like that's only masking the (01:20:18) problem. But you know sometimes if you (01:20:22) really you know in tennis we we (01:20:24) sometimes play five six days in a row (01:20:27) and you have no other option and if you (01:20:29) want to stay alive in the tournament you (01:20:31) have to do it. So I've done it for like (01:20:34) a year or something with playing uh (01:20:36) under these pills like every single (01:20:37) match (01:20:39) >> to the point where I didn't feel pain (01:20:41) anymore. Sorry, actually I felt the pain (01:20:46) even if I was taking the full dose of (01:20:48) anti-inflammatories and that's was the (01:20:50) sign for me like I have to you know (01:20:53) operate this I have to do something (01:20:54) different I made a kind of a a little (01:20:56) bit of a while to myself and promise (01:20:59) that I will not operate myself (01:21:01) throughout my career will not make any (01:21:03) surgery and that was I I felt I let (01:21:05) myself down. I cried for days that I (01:21:08) accepted to do a surgery but surgery was (01:21:10) done very well. You cried for days. (01:21:12) >> Yeah, because I felt like I let myself (01:21:13) down. I said, you know, I wanted to go (01:21:15) throughout my entire career without (01:21:17) having one surgery. But it happened and (01:21:19) I had an aroscopic intervention on my (01:21:22) knee last year during a match in Roland (01:21:25) Garas actually fourth round. I've won in (01:21:27) five sets after four and something (01:21:29) hours. But I was uh I was winning set (01:21:33) and and a half comfortably in the last (01:21:35) 16 round. And then I felt a click. It (01:21:38) was something. It was very weird. And I (01:21:40) never had an injury of the knee luckily (01:21:43) at least that severe. And then you know (01:21:46) I started to play but I could not stand (01:21:48) on my leg and I was playing through the (01:21:49) pain. Then I invited the physio and the (01:21:52) doctor and then you know he was touching (01:21:55) me in this spot where my meniscus is and (01:21:57) I felt wow and that's very painful. He's (01:22:00) like what do you want to do? And I said (01:22:02) listen you know I want to I want to give (01:22:03) it a shot. I want to try. Just give me (01:22:06) strongest painkillers you you have right (01:22:08) now cuz I'm on the court full stadium. I (01:22:11) can't just I I want to try. So that's (01:22:14) what he's they've done and after 30 (01:22:17) minutes they start kicking in and I was (01:22:19) kind of surviving in this 30 minutes and (01:22:21) then the pain went down. The pain was (01:22:23) still there but I went through it and I (01:22:25) won the match and I actually finished (01:22:27) the match with pretty good feeling. I (01:22:29) still had pain but it was pretty good (01:22:31) feeling and I was like confident for my (01:22:32) quarterfinals. It was coming up in two (01:22:34) days, but the next day I went for an MRI (01:22:36) and I saw I have a ruptured uh meniscus (01:22:39) and basically had to be operated. So I I (01:22:41) pulled out on the tournament and I did (01:22:43) that operation and the Wimbledon was (01:22:46) coming up in 3 weeks and then my team (01:22:48) was I still remember that conversation (01:22:50) with my team on the rooftop and on the (01:22:52) back of that story that you told me (01:22:55) about Vanessa and Kobe, you know, (01:22:57) Vanessa was telling Kobe why do you (01:22:59) play? Don't play. like it's it's a (01:23:01) normal protective advice from a dear (01:23:04) person in your life. same I got from all (01:23:07) of my people from my family members to (01:23:09) my team members and my I remember my (01:23:11) physio that I'm with for the last 20 (01:23:13) years he told me yeah you know it's (01:23:15) normally like four to six weeks and (01:23:17) stuff like this but you know we had some (01:23:19) miraculous recoveries from some athletes (01:23:21) blah blah and my my physio was sitting (01:23:25) on the on the rooftop of our hotel and (01:23:27) all team was there and he said I know (01:23:29) you do not even think for a second (01:23:32) you'll play Wimbledon like that's out of (01:23:34) the question (01:23:35) >> wow And I didn't say anything. All the (01:23:37) team members agreed. I didn't say (01:23:39) anything. Actually, one thing I say, I (01:23:41) said, I understand what you're saying, (01:23:45) but please, you know, for my own mental (01:23:49) sanity, because it's Wimbledon, because (01:23:50) it's my always been a dream tournament, (01:23:52) the most important tournament. Let's (01:23:54) just see how it goes in the next two (01:23:57) weeks because I have three weeks to the (01:23:59) tournament and I can pull out three, (01:24:01) four, five days before the tournament. (01:24:02) So I have like two two and a half weeks (01:24:04) to play around. At that point I was with (01:24:06) crutches. (01:24:07) >> So long. So long story short, I've (01:24:10) dedicated so much time in a day to (01:24:12) recover and it was like a task for me to (01:24:15) prove even the closest people in in my (01:24:18) team and family wrong that I can recover (01:24:21) and it was really a mission and I (01:24:24) recovered and I played finals and I I (01:24:26) lost last year finals in Wimbledon and (01:24:27) then I a week after that came to the (01:24:30) Paris back again and played Olympics and (01:24:31) won the gold medal. So it was the best (01:24:34) period of my of my uh 2024 season is (01:24:38) when I actually had a surgery a post (01:24:41) surgery because something clicked in my (01:24:43) head where he triggered me my physio and (01:24:47) said do not even think and for me what I (01:24:49) heard is okay thank you for giving me (01:24:52) the task because now I have a challenge (01:24:54) on my hands (01:24:55) >> all I needed is that (01:24:57) >> and actually that's what I need now I (01:24:59) feel like in this phase of my career (01:25:01) when I'm trying to motivate myself and (01:25:03) keep going and stuff. I need a (01:25:05) challenge. I think athletes in the (01:25:07) highest level after so long they they (01:25:09) need to feel their challenge. They need (01:25:11) to feel that they are playing a game (01:25:14) even though it's our job and every but (01:25:16) we need to feel like we somebody is (01:25:18) going to say something you want to prove (01:25:19) them wrong. Michael Jordan in his last (01:25:21) dance was talking about it. He's like, (01:25:25) even if I didn't have anybody in the (01:25:27) crowds talking crap to me, but I still (01:25:29) picked someone and selected him as an (01:25:32) enemy and just because I needed to (01:25:34) create that enemy inside of my head to (01:25:36) get me going. So, I actually relate to (01:25:38) that even though I don't necessarily (01:25:42) always look for enemies in my every (01:25:44) match in the crowd, but I had quite an (01:25:46) experience with tennis crowds over the (01:25:48) years in my career. oftentimes when I (01:25:50) would play with Nadal and Feather most (01:25:52) of the times I would have most of the (01:25:54) stadium against me. So I it would be (01:25:56) challenging but that's also part of why (01:25:59) my mental toughness is as it is in a (01:26:03) kind of a hostile environments played (01:26:05) most of my matches and big matches and I (01:26:07) kind of had to find a way to win a match (01:26:10) and to use that energy as my fuel and (01:26:13) not have it wear me down. (01:26:15) >> What does that take to do that? Because (01:26:17) it sounds like that scrutiny is worse (01:26:20) than an injury. What's worse? That kind (01:26:22) of hostile environment, hostility or (01:26:25) injury? (01:26:25) >> Look, injury is the biggest enemy or an (01:26:28) opponent of of an athlete. You can't do (01:26:30) your job. You can't play your sport if (01:26:33) you're injured. (01:26:35) Which proves the point of self-care even (01:26:39) more of how important it is and how (01:26:41) significantly you have to address that (01:26:45) and approach that in your daily life as (01:26:48) an individual athlete particularly. But (01:26:50) at the same time, hostile environment is (01:26:53) is not ideal. I mean, you always want to (01:26:56) be playing where you're celebrated, (01:26:58) cheered for, of course, you know, lifts (01:27:00) you up in a tough moments when you're (01:27:02) down and just But I learned in the (01:27:05) somehow in the hostile environment to (01:27:07) thrive and I've seen that, you know, (01:27:09) with like Kobe did it as well, right? (01:27:12) LeBron, you know, other athletes as well (01:27:15) in in their respective sports talked (01:27:17) about it and and football, they (01:27:19) experience it a lot. (01:27:20) >> People can relate to that. Like I think (01:27:22) people always feel (01:27:23) >> Yeah. Even the average person constantly (01:27:25) feels like their work's a hostile (01:27:26) environment or wherever. Like what (01:27:28) allowed you to use it as fuel (01:27:31) consistently over that time to the point (01:27:33) where people were cheering when you (01:27:35) finally win? Well, there are a few (01:27:37) things. First, I mentioned that already (01:27:39) is using that as a fuel to prove (01:27:43) somebody wrong. (01:27:44) >> Mhm. And that requires work mentally to (01:27:48) be able to transform or transmute that (01:27:52) energy or that cheering that is against (01:27:54) you to convince yourself it's for you. (01:27:58) >> So I was I was saying this years ago uh (01:28:01) after I was playing I was playing (01:28:03) feather in one of the Wimbledon finals (01:28:05) and (01:28:06) >> they would cheer Roger Roger all the (01:28:08) time basically. So I've was convincing (01:28:12) myself and I managed to convince myself (01:28:14) especially in the second part of the (01:28:15) match that they were cheering no no in (01:28:17) or Novak Novak. I I that's what I was (01:28:20) hearing. (01:28:21) >> Wow. (01:28:22) >> And that's cool. (01:28:22) >> And then and then my mind was playing a (01:28:24) games but I wasn't allowing it to play (01:28:26) games with me that basically was like (01:28:28) what are you talking about? I mean (01:28:29) they're saying Roger and saying no but I (01:28:31) was like no no no they're saying Novak (01:28:33) Novak Novak Novak. So I was using that (01:28:35) as my own force and my own fuel. Well, I (01:28:37) just got chill (01:28:38) >> and then but that's it is possible. It (01:28:40) is possible but you you need to you need (01:28:42) to work on that and convincing yourself (01:28:45) in something that is different from the (01:28:48) reality that is actually happening or (01:28:50) basically in another words creating your (01:28:53) own reality (01:28:54) >> because in the end that's more (01:28:56) philosophical question and spiritual (01:28:58) whether this is all one reality or it's (01:29:01) a different we all experience different (01:29:03) forms of reality of what's happening. So (01:29:06) creating your own reality and convincing (01:29:08) yourself and basically training your (01:29:10) subconscious mind that this is exactly (01:29:12) what you want to hear. It is possible (01:29:15) but it takes an effort. Uh but but it (01:29:18) goes a long way because for everyday (01:29:20) person you know you can tap into that (01:29:23) subconscious mind that basically (01:29:24) controls 95% of your 100% daily life (01:29:28) while you're awake. You know 5% is only (01:29:32) I mean I was shocked and that's science. (01:29:33) That's not me saying it's science that (01:29:35) is saying that 5% is only conscious (01:29:37) mind. 95 is I was shocked when I heard (01:29:40) that. It's like how in the world are we (01:29:44) then able to live how we want to live (01:29:49) where we are actually on autopilot most (01:29:52) of the time. And that explains the (01:29:54) multitasking. That explains why we can (01:29:56) text and drive and drink and speak and (01:29:59) do five things at the same time is (01:30:02) because of the subconscious. But (01:30:04) subconscious is basically reacting to (01:30:07) what you are instilling or uploading in (01:30:11) that program. (01:30:12) >> Mh. So I feel like when I was introduced (01:30:15) to that uh subconscious mind science I (01:30:19) was you know I felt like I've change (01:30:22) myself and my own perspective on things (01:30:25) and how I approach life and performance (01:30:29) and relationship and I could see that (01:30:32) and I I still make mistakes and I still (01:30:34) do plenty of mistakes not on the tennis (01:30:36) court or outside in relationship and (01:30:37) everything. I'm more conscious and more (01:30:39) aware where it's coming from and why I (01:30:42) did it. And then I'm going to keep on (01:30:44) doing mistakes, but I'll try to reduce (01:30:46) those. And I feel like being in control (01:30:50) is something that we all want to be in. (01:30:52) Like we want to control our thoughts, we (01:30:54) want to control our lives, our partners, (01:30:57) and we want to but it's not possible and (01:30:59) it shouldn't be the case. Like you can (01:31:01) only control what you can, which is your (01:31:03) own process internally. And then how (01:31:06) that comes across what I speak to you (01:31:08) right now and what you think in your (01:31:10) mind and how you hear my words is I (01:31:13) can't control that. (01:31:14) >> You know I can only hope that I am (01:31:17) emitting the right kind of energy and (01:31:19) vibe to you and that we are creating (01:31:21) something nice. That's where I feel like (01:31:24) we all get trapped a lot is like no I'm (01:31:27) going to prove you the point of what I (01:31:29) was saying and I'm going to tell you why (01:31:31) you are causing this in me and so forth. (01:31:33) putting always a blame to someone else. (01:31:36) And I mean, I can feel that with tennis (01:31:38) is that I can instantly see the mistake (01:31:42) when I actually say it's my coach's (01:31:44) fault or it's my physio's fault or my (01:31:47) fitness coach's fault or it's whoever's (01:31:49) fault for me losing a match or me (01:31:51) playing this way. So, I always remind (01:31:53) myself, hey, take the responsibility in (01:31:55) your hands. Take the means in your (01:31:56) hands. You are in control of your life. (01:32:00) Maybe not fully because there's always (01:32:02) this destiny or divine uh purpose of us (01:32:07) being here and the karma from past lives (01:32:10) and etc. That's another conversation. (01:32:12) But what you can control, focus on that. (01:32:15) The other things is just, you know, it's (01:32:16) in God's hands and it's in the hands of (01:32:18) other people and how that all interacts. (01:32:21) But I believe that when you're training (01:32:23) yourself to think good thoughts and it (01:32:25) comes back to you. It's the (01:32:27) >> the law of attraction and the law of (01:32:30) giving and taking and it comes back. You (01:32:32) know, you become what you think, right? (01:32:34) And so there's there's true power in (01:32:35) that. (01:32:36) >> Novak, you've been so kind and generous (01:32:38) with your time. I've got a few more (01:32:39) questions for you. (01:32:40) >> You know, I think you've talked so much (01:32:42) about health, self-care, discipline. I (01:32:45) know that you have your new supplement (01:32:47) out that I can't wait to try as well, (01:32:49) your hydration. It's called CIA, which I (01:32:51) love the meaning of. If you can share (01:32:53) what that means. But I love that you're (01:32:55) finding a way to productize your (01:32:57) mindset, like I actually am because I (01:33:00) think people like myself who want to (01:33:02) know what is that 0.00001% (01:33:06) mindset and what are you discovering and (01:33:08) taking and you were just sharing it with (01:33:10) me earlier. I was just thinking I'm so (01:33:12) excited about that to try it out for (01:33:14) myself because I try and treat myself (01:33:16) like an athlete even if I'm not playing (01:33:19) in the games you are because to me I'm (01:33:21) trying to operate at that mindset that (01:33:23) level physically, mentally, emotionally, (01:33:25) spiritually and and I love that. So I (01:33:28) guess where did that come from? Was that (01:33:30) this idea of you know as you're thinking (01:33:33) about tennis and thinking about beyond (01:33:34) tennis like where did that come from? I (01:33:36) was always trying to think beyond tennis (01:33:38) you know particularly well (01:33:40) >> particularly in the last I would say 12 (01:33:44) to 15 years of my my career my life I (01:33:47) mean I because I was hearing early on (01:33:49) from some other not just tennis players (01:33:53) established tennis players who were (01:33:55) retired and and shared their experience (01:33:57) of Paul's career with me but also other (01:34:00) athletes and how you know the struggles (01:34:03) they had mentally and particularly the (01:34:05) struggles that they had if they have not (01:34:08) prepared themselves for that transition. (01:34:10) I believe that in some way you cannot (01:34:13) fully prepare yourself for that (01:34:14) transition mentally like it's going to (01:34:16) be a sad day for me when I leave tennis (01:34:19) and it's going to be very emotional. I (01:34:21) know that. But what I'm talking about is (01:34:24) basically the adrenaline that also needs (01:34:28) to be filtered (01:34:30) or re-chanled somewhere. And I know that (01:34:34) I will play sports for the rest of my (01:34:36) life cuz I love sports and being active (01:34:38) is essential. But also I feel like you (01:34:42) need a challenge. Tennis has consumed (01:34:44) most of my life and that's what I know (01:34:47) how to do best. But I have very broad (01:34:51) interest in a lot of different things. (01:34:52) And the industry or the the sphere of of (01:34:57) life which is called health, wellness (01:35:00) and well-being is my biggest passion and (01:35:03) it's very broad ecosystem or field if if (01:35:06) you want as you know because you're part (01:35:09) of it. But it has been my passion for 15 (01:35:12) plus years and you know uh always (01:35:16) imagined the world where most of the (01:35:19) people will take care of themselves of (01:35:21) you know how they hydrate how they eat (01:35:24) exercise how they manage their sleep (01:35:26) just a healthier world and of course (01:35:29) it's it's hard to change everything at (01:35:32) the same time and it of course takes a (01:35:34) lot of different time because it's the (01:35:35) planet is big and there's a lot of (01:35:37) people but I think taking small steps (01:35:39) reps is very valuable and it has its (01:35:43) effect. So hydration is something that (01:35:47) was always super important for me as a (01:35:49) professional athlete and I noticed that (01:35:53) people who live everyday life but not (01:35:54) only them but also athletes don't really (01:35:58) understand the importance of hydration (01:36:00) and don't really understand maybe how to (01:36:05) fully hydrate themselves on a cellular (01:36:07) level (01:36:08) >> because when we talk about hydration (01:36:10) obviously first thing that comes to your (01:36:11) mind is drink water right we drink water (01:36:13) we have to we wouldn't survive a day (01:36:15) without water. So, that's normal. But (01:36:18) then we also have all these other (01:36:21) ingredients and vitamins and minerals (01:36:24) and things that we're trying to take, (01:36:26) whether it's through supplementation, (01:36:27) whether it's through food. Obviously, if (01:36:30) you can get everything through food, (01:36:31) it's the best. (01:36:32) >> Brian Johnson, I saw the other dayund (01:36:35) and whatever tablets that he's taking. I (01:36:37) mean, it's I don't know how he does it. (01:36:38) I mean amazing but I I don't think I (01:36:41) would be able to drink and I don't want (01:36:42) to drink that many tablets. I do have (01:36:45) supplementation myself but I prefer (01:36:48) trying to take everything through food (01:36:50) >> but it's difficult because our soil is (01:36:53) depleted. uh the food that we are (01:36:54) getting is most of the time comes from (01:36:57) the other remote side of the world (01:37:00) travels it lost its nutrients you know (01:37:02) and it's hard you know we have a (01:37:05) polluted air polluted water polluted (01:37:07) soil all of these things you know play (01:37:10) an important role in the inflammatory (01:37:12) processes in our body or how we ingest (01:37:16) uh uh certain ingredients and uh (01:37:20) substances that are necessary for (01:37:23) optimal health. So going back to the (01:37:26) hydration, I think hydration is probably (01:37:29) the easiest step towards that healthier (01:37:32) diet or healthier life and it's (01:37:35) something that we cannot go without on a (01:37:38) daily basis and something that is easy (01:37:40) as breathing. That's something that (01:37:43) everybody can do. Diet changes are (01:37:46) something that is more challenging I (01:37:47) think for people and there are hundreds (01:37:50) of different diets and I don't want to (01:37:51) get into it because everyone has their (01:37:53) preference but I think hydration is (01:37:55) probably something that we will all (01:37:57) agree with. So since 2017 or 18 I've (01:38:01) been working on this project and I've (01:38:03) been thinking amazing you know and I (01:38:05) didn't want to come out I could have (01:38:06) come out I've worked with few different (01:38:08) people and I finally then agreed to come (01:38:12) out on the market with uh it's basically (01:38:15) a a wellness brand called sila and one (01:38:19) of the well the first product that we (01:38:21) come out with is hydration but we have (01:38:24) magnesium we are working on our sleep (01:38:26) formula neutropic formula gut formula. (01:38:29) So, we're going to have a line of (01:38:30) different products and I'm doing that. (01:38:33) My partner in that is actually my best (01:38:35) friend uh Mark Stilitano who is also (01:38:39) very very pass he used to play tennis uh (01:38:41) and we know each other since we were (01:38:43) teenagers and very very uh passionate (01:38:46) guy about you know wellness and (01:38:48) hydration and healthy lifestyle. So we I (01:38:52) found that we are very synergetic in our (01:38:55) mission and vision and he had something (01:38:58) similar in his life that he wanted to do (01:39:00) and he said let's join forces and do it (01:39:02) together. So, we just recently started. (01:39:05) We're very quietly uh kind of as a soft (01:39:07) launch because (01:39:09) >> I I don't want this product uh or this (01:39:12) brand to be just one of the many many (01:39:15) out there. And when I say that, I mean (01:39:19) that every ingredient that is in every (01:39:22) of the product needs to be 100% best (01:39:26) quality that is out there. But, you (01:39:28) know, I'm very passionate about this (01:39:29) because it's a kind of a continuation of (01:39:31) my passion, of my story, of my journey. (01:39:35) It's it's what I love. It's what I drink (01:39:37) on a daily basis. My kids drink it, my (01:39:40) wife, everybody. And so, I'm always (01:39:41) looking for new ways or best supplements (01:39:43) or things that can improve my (01:39:45) performance, that can improve my (01:39:47) performance, not just on the tennis (01:39:48) court, but also in life for me to have (01:39:50) more clarity, more energy, better sleep, (01:39:53) and stuff like this. So I decided to do (01:39:56) something on my own because the (01:39:58) supplements out there that I was trying (01:40:01) there are some good ones but I was not (01:40:02) fully satisfied. So I try to kind of (01:40:04) take the means in my hands and control (01:40:06) the process from A to Zed. It's it's the (01:40:09) way I am. It's how I do things and (01:40:11) >> and so hopefully people will like it. I (01:40:13) don't know you know it's it's going to (01:40:15) be interesting journey that we're (01:40:17) embarking on. Uh and other than that I (01:40:19) have another very interesting project. (01:40:21) It's called Regenesis Pod that I want to (01:40:23) get you in that pod. (01:40:24) >> It's been it's been also six years that (01:40:26) we're working on that and we're (01:40:28) launching later this year. (01:40:29) >> And that that pod is like a capsule, you (01:40:32) know, like one of those sleeping (01:40:33) capsules that you have in a an airport. (01:40:35) >> Mhm. So about 12 13 years ago I was in (01:40:40) Dubai airport and I was in business (01:40:42) class lounge and I was like look at me (01:40:43) you know I'm so you know lucky to be (01:40:46) here and to be able to have a bed or (01:40:48) have this you know sleeping pod or (01:40:51) something like that but you know 99% of (01:40:54) the people I mean they're on layovers (01:40:56) they're in transit they're sleeping on (01:40:58) the floor and uncomfortable chairs and (01:41:00) stuff. So felt like how cool would it be (01:41:03) if you know on the airport we would have (01:41:05) these pods where people will go in and (01:41:08) out not only to nap and sleep but to be (01:41:10) go in and out in shortest amount of time (01:41:13) whether it's you know 8 10 15 20 minutes (01:41:17) and feel refreshed and feel re-energized (01:41:20) they can reset their system and recharge (01:41:23) the batteries and go on with their day (01:41:26) and by that time I was already traveling (01:41:28) with a additional suitcase of gadgets of (01:41:31) uh near infrared, far infrared, pulse (01:41:34) electromagnetic frequency, different (01:41:37) plates, boards, uh you name it. I mean, (01:41:40) essential oils, this that uh light (01:41:44) therapies, uh vibrational frequencies, (01:41:48) uh sounds, everything, everything that (01:41:50) is out there in the market that I find (01:41:53) amusing and interesting, I take it, I (01:41:55) try it, I try to implement it. So, I'm (01:41:57) still traveling with these gadgets. And (01:41:59) so I said, "Okay." So I I partnered up (01:42:01) with with my partner Tav Keen who is (01:42:03) Australian and and lives in Bali. And so (01:42:05) we we connected and then he had also (01:42:08) some similar thoughts. And then we're (01:42:09) like, "Okay, can we do this pod where I (01:42:11) would have all these gadgets (01:42:13) incorporated in one multi-ensory (01:42:16) device." (01:42:17) >> Wow. (01:42:17) >> Where they don't interfere with each (01:42:19) other, but they complement each other. (01:42:20) So where you go in, you're like in a (01:42:22) Faraday cage. you're protected from (01:42:25) harmful radiation of the the towers, the (01:42:28) Wi-Fi, the 5Gs, etc., and you are just (01:42:32) giving yourselves a rest and recharging (01:42:35) and then, you know, being stimulated (01:42:37) with all these things, would it be (01:42:38) possible? And so, four or five years of (01:42:41) of R&D and we finally created it. So, (01:42:45) it's quite an exclusive, I would say, (01:42:48) product because it's, you know, it's (01:42:49) very expensive. It's big. It's not like (01:42:52) a hydration drink. But my dream is to (01:42:55) have that in every airport. It started (01:42:58) like that. But then of course the (01:43:00) corporate wellness is a big world as (01:43:01) well. The corporations I mean people who (01:43:04) work 9 to5 98 they're staying all day (01:43:07) seated you know their posture all these (01:43:10) things are affected. They don't have the (01:43:12) the the ability to uh ground their feet (01:43:15) and be in the nature and stuff. It's (01:43:17) always this fast-paced modern lifestyle. (01:43:20) On the go, on the go. Give me a quick (01:43:21) fix. I'm eating my lunch in the car on (01:43:25) the go. What? You know, so I understand, (01:43:28) you know, I'm not not judging. I'm I (01:43:30) understand we all we all part of that (01:43:32) world. So that's why I kind of wanted to (01:43:34) create a in a way uh even even though I (01:43:37) don't like that term, a healthy quick (01:43:39) fix to a modern fast-paced lifestyle. (01:43:42) men or women that that live and don't (01:43:44) have time, then come back home, they're (01:43:46) super tired, exhausted, and they have (01:43:48) kids, they have the spouse, they have (01:43:49) everything happening, and they're like, (01:43:51) "Oh my god, I'm sore. I'm this. I'm (01:43:53) depleted. I'm not sleeping well, etc." (01:43:55) So, it's it's quite complex, but this (01:43:58) could be, and I hope it will. I mean, (01:44:00) again, I'm biased and we've been doing (01:44:02) uh (01:44:04) >> I mean, hundreds or maybe even thousands (01:44:05) of people have done it, trials, and the (01:44:08) results are incredible. We're doing a (01:44:10) scientific um study now, a human study (01:44:14) in in uh one two universities in United (01:44:17) States with a pod and so can't wait to (01:44:20) to see the results of that and uh see (01:44:22) how it rolls out, you know. So I'm very (01:44:24) passionate about it. These are some, you (01:44:26) know, I have some few other projects (01:44:28) that I'm very uh involved in and and but (01:44:31) I like it because it's it's in my alley. (01:44:34) Yeah. you know, it's in the area of life (01:44:37) that I'm not only passionate about, but (01:44:39) that I I feel like I have experience in (01:44:42) knowledge to some extent and of course I (01:44:45) surround myself with with people who are (01:44:47) more qualified and knowledgeable about (01:44:49) than me in that space and then we (01:44:50) develop it together and I feel like like (01:44:53) you trying to make other people feel (01:44:56) better. Yes. you know, whether it's (01:44:58) mentally or physically, (01:45:00) uh, through supplements, through this (01:45:01) pod, through this podcast, through (01:45:03) talking, through, you know, sharing the (01:45:06) journey, sharing the maybe some hacks (01:45:08) and techniques and stuff that they can (01:45:10) do. (01:45:10) >> Yeah. (01:45:11) >> You know, in the end of the day, that's (01:45:13) actually what drives it. I feel like it (01:45:14) drives you a lot, you know, because it (01:45:16) gives the purpose on purpose. It gives (01:45:18) you purpose in your life. It's not like (01:45:20) only about yourself and what you do and (01:45:22) the achievements and the fame and money (01:45:25) and everything. It's it's really about (01:45:27) how you make your mark in the world. (01:45:29) What's the legacy? What do you leave (01:45:31) behind? How do people, you know, benefit (01:45:34) from you and what you say, what you do, (01:45:37) what you create. So, that's a kind of a (01:45:39) driving force. You know, one of the best (01:45:41) psychologists that I work with and one (01:45:43) of the most impressive and intelligent (01:45:45) people that I ever met in my life, his (01:45:48) name is Dr. Jim Lair and he he was one (01:45:51) of the founders of a human performance (01:45:53) institute HPI in Florida and we worked (01:45:56) for a few years and you know he has this (01:46:00) obviously one of the most important (01:46:02) questions is what would you like to have (01:46:05) written on your tombstone and would you (01:46:08) like you know people to list your (01:46:11) achievements or is it something else? (01:46:14) How would you like people to remember (01:46:15) you? You know, but deeply think about (01:46:18) that. And then we would go through a (01:46:19) process of writing things down and (01:46:21) really kind of deconstructing (01:46:23) my personality, my life, what I'm living (01:46:26) in the given moment and what I how I see (01:46:28) the future self and how I see the future (01:46:31) of the world and and whether I feel like (01:46:33) I strongly believe that I can make that (01:46:35) impact. So I feel this is everything (01:46:37) that I do is related to that source of (01:46:42) the purpose and of the light that is in (01:46:44) the center of everything because you (01:46:46) know I I've also turned down many (01:46:48) different companies in my life that (01:46:51) wanted me to be an ambassador because I (01:46:54) just feel it's very hard for me to (01:46:56) represent and advocate something to (01:47:00) millions of people that I really don't (01:47:02) believe in. wouldn't never drink that (01:47:03) drink or eat that or or whatever it is. (01:47:07) I just if it's not aligned with my (01:47:09) philosophy, my mindset, it's not going (01:47:12) to work. And and I've selected that (01:47:14) journey which is for my managers and my (01:47:16) agents, not the ideal one, (01:47:19) >> but at the same time, I'm calm in my (01:47:22) heart, in my mind, because I know that (01:47:24) I'm doing something that is right. I (01:47:25) love that and I'm so excited to try it (01:47:27) and I'm I'm grateful that you've said (01:47:30) that and that authenticity is there (01:47:32) because I personally am someone who (01:47:35) wants to try new things and wants to (01:47:38) know what the best are using especially (01:47:40) when you're creating it yourself. You're (01:47:41) not putting your name to it. It's not (01:47:43) something you know it's you're actually (01:47:45) saying no this is what I use. This is (01:47:47) what I'm doing. I think that's (01:47:48) important. (01:47:49) >> So Novak we end every interview with the (01:47:52) final five. These have to be answered in (01:47:54) one word to one sentence maximum. (01:47:56) >> Okay. (01:47:57) >> Uh and then I may ask you to go over but (01:48:00) NovakJovich, these are your final five. (01:48:02) >> The first is what is the best advice (01:48:05) you've ever heard or received? (01:48:07) >> Live the life in the present moment. (01:48:10) Learn from the past. Live in the present (01:48:14) and work for the future. (01:48:16) >> What is the worst advice you've ever (01:48:18) heard or received? (01:48:20) The worst advice. (01:48:22) If someone (01:48:24) does good to you, do 10 times better to (01:48:28) them. But if someone does bad to you, do (01:48:31) 10 times worse to them. (01:48:33) >> Oh, that second part is not good advice. (01:48:35) Exactly. (01:48:36) >> That first part's beautiful. (01:48:38) >> Yeah. But the second it the first part (01:48:40) is connected to the second one. That's (01:48:41) why I said it. But second one I don't (01:48:44) like. (01:48:44) >> Yeah. I think it's almost like if (01:48:46) someone does good to you, do 10 times (01:48:48) better to them. And if someone does bad (01:48:50) to you, do 10 times less to them. Like (01:48:52) just right, (01:48:53) >> you know, that would be good advice. (01:48:54) That's a good answer. I've never heard (01:48:56) that. That's that's really really good. (01:48:58) Um, what's (01:49:00) >> the power of having had such a beautiful (01:49:03) relationship with your partner, your (01:49:04) wife, Yena? I can't do an interview (01:49:06) without giving her credit and talking (01:49:08) about her cuz I feel like a a good man (01:49:11) needs a good woman. and such a big (01:49:14) important part of all of our lives. (01:49:16) Yeah. (01:49:16) >> Yes. Yes. Thank you for asking me about (01:49:20) my wife and you know we've been together (01:49:22) since my age 18. She was 19 so very long (01:49:25) time. We dated. We went through (01:49:28) different stages and different phases (01:49:30) and basically she's the only like very (01:49:32) serious relationship that I've ever had (01:49:34) and and uh yeah she's my rock. She's (01:49:37) someone that has seen the worst and the (01:49:41) best sides of me. She has seen my (01:49:43) evolution. She has challenged me on (01:49:46) every level. We have grown together and (01:49:50) we have two beautiful children and we (01:49:52) still keep on growing and evolving and (01:49:54) we have challenges as I guess every (01:49:56) couple has. But I think we have a an (01:49:59) amazing base and foundation and we (01:50:03) always when we have challenging times in (01:50:06) relationship we revert to that and we (01:50:08) address you know why we are together who (01:50:11) we are as people and how we've grown and (01:50:14) and the future that we see is the future (01:50:17) that we see together. And so we whatever (01:50:20) we try to do we try to do it together. (01:50:22) So all of the projects that I told you (01:50:25) about and everything, she's been (01:50:26) involved and it's very important for me (01:50:29) to always hear her thoughts, her (01:50:32) feedback, and because she's probably the (01:50:35) only one in my life other than my my (01:50:38) brothers uh or my (01:50:42) one or two friends that is able to tell (01:50:45) me things that I maybe don't want to (01:50:47) hear (01:50:48) >> and really challenge my ideas, challenge (01:50:52) my thoughts challenge my decisions and (01:50:55) often times her instinct or intuition (01:50:57) was correct and mine wasn't. I have to (01:51:01) say that but uh no jokes aside she has (01:51:05) been an incredible partner in this whole (01:51:08) journey professionally, privately, (01:51:10) emotionally, romantically as a parent as (01:51:15) well. So I still play at this level (01:51:18) because also of the support that she's (01:51:20) giving to our family back home. (01:51:22) >> And I remind myself of that a lot. You (01:51:25) know, I've I've grown up with two (01:51:27) younger brothers in a very small (01:51:28) apartment with and I've seen what my (01:51:31) mother, you know, did and what she does (01:51:33) for a family and what women do to keep (01:51:38) families together and intact and bring (01:51:43) this incredibly powerful energy to our (01:51:46) life and to that gives us wings and that (01:51:49) gives us a springboard for everything (01:51:52) that we're doing outside of home is just (01:51:54) something that one will never comprehend (01:51:57) unless one experiences that family life. (01:52:00) So we've been through all these (01:52:01) different journeys together as you know (01:52:04) uh kids, teenagers and you know getting (01:52:08) more serious in relationship and her (01:52:11) being my fiance and then getting married (01:52:13) and then having two kids. So yeah, it's (01:52:16) it's hard to express everything that I (01:52:18) that I feel as as kind of love and (01:52:20) gratitude towards her and what she means (01:52:22) to me in my life. Yeah, I feel like when (01:52:24) I've met her or interacted with her, (01:52:26) she's always just operating such a high (01:52:28) frequency and a high vibration. Like she (01:52:31) has that natural energy and it's good (01:52:33) for I feel like that about my wife and I (01:52:36) feel like it's good (01:52:37) >> to have someone in your life who's that (01:52:39) close to you that can call you out and (01:52:41) check on you and, you know, realign you. (01:52:43) I I know I value that deeply and my wife (01:52:46) does the same for me. Question four is (01:52:48) two as well. Uh, what was your worst day (01:52:51) on court and what was your best day on (01:52:53) court? (01:52:54) >> I would say winning a gold medal for my (01:52:56) country in Olympics in Paris 2024 would (01:53:00) be the best moment, even better. And it (01:53:04) surpasses me winning Wimbledon for the (01:53:06) first time or winning Davis Cup with my (01:53:08) country and stuff. And I have I've been (01:53:10) incredibly fortunate to experience some (01:53:12) of the I mean the greatest achievements (01:53:14) in our sport. that one just because I (01:53:17) was 37 at the time. I mean 37 years old (01:53:21) and maybe my last shot at the real shot (01:53:24) at the gold medal and everything with (01:53:27) how it happened and how it unfolded is (01:53:29) just you know that's the moment and the (01:53:32) worst would be I I I would say actually (01:53:36) also Olympics when I was when I lost the (01:53:39) Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 (01:53:45) I uh was (01:53:48) yeah struggling a a little bit with this (01:53:50) injury of the wrist and didn't know if (01:53:52) I'm going to play or not. Uh I played I (01:53:54) lost to Delpotro dear friend and went on (01:53:57) to win a silver medal for his country. (01:54:00) Uh I lost in first round in a tight two (01:54:03) setter and two tie breaks and it was (01:54:06) super emotional because (01:54:09) Olympics playing for my country being (01:54:12) supported by the whole stadium being in (01:54:14) probably at the peak of my career (01:54:17) overall being on a on a run and on the (01:54:20) roll winning four slams. I held all four (01:54:24) slams at that point. I was just the most (01:54:29) dominant I've ever was in my career. (01:54:31) Practicing several days, I was like, I (01:54:34) cannot miss a ball. Like, this is my (01:54:36) time. This is there's no no chance (01:54:38) anybody beats me here. And then one day (01:54:42) or two days before the match, I start to (01:54:44) feel something in the wrist, start to (01:54:47) doubt myself. I start to question (01:54:49) whether I should go out or not. I have a (01:54:51) very tough draw. I draw Delotro is very (01:54:54) tough draw. first round and I lose close (01:54:58) match you know as I said he goes on to (01:55:00) win silver medal but I that was the (01:55:02) moment where I just felt like my whole (01:55:04) world collapsed (01:55:06) >> yeah very very tough so it's interesting (01:55:08) now that you ask me because I never (01:55:10) thought about it but (01:55:11) >> best moment and worst moment happened in (01:55:13) Olympic games because Olympic games (01:55:16) >> happen every four years they're so rare (01:55:19) >> and all the other tournaments you have a (01:55:21) chance every year to win but here you (01:55:24) know every four years. So, you got to be (01:55:27) at at your top to be able to, you know, (01:55:30) get a medal. (01:55:31) >> That's cool. That's good. Good memories. (01:55:33) And I'm glad you got the gold last year. (01:55:35) So, I (01:55:35) >> appreciate it. (01:55:36) >> Uh, toughest opponent mentally and (01:55:38) toughest opponent physically. (01:55:40) >> Toughest opponent mentally by far, (01:55:44) myself. (01:55:44) >> I like that's a good answer. (01:55:46) >> By far. And the toughest opponent (01:55:49) physically, (01:55:52) Nadal. Yeah, for sure. I mean, the (01:55:54) battles with him were just grueling. The (01:55:58) longest Grand Slam finals in history in (01:56:02) the finals of 2012 Australian Open. 5 (01:56:05) hours and 53 minutes I think it was. So (01:56:09) almost 6 hours of grueling battle. I won (01:56:12) that match in the fifth set. 75 or 76. (01:56:15) It was just I remember the closing (01:56:18) ceremony after that. We were standing (01:56:20) and and listening to the sponsor's (01:56:22) speeches and stuff and we at one point (01:56:26) we both simultaneously bent down and (01:56:30) held our knees and I could see his legs (01:56:33) are shaking, my legs are shaking and (01:56:35) then I and then someone saw that and (01:56:38) brought us two chairs and brought us (01:56:40) water and we had to sit down and sit for (01:56:42) the rest of the ceremony because we were (01:56:43) just I went into the locker room, took (01:56:47) out my shoes and I had blood on all over (01:56:50) the socks on both both socks and I (01:56:52) didn't feel it obviously in this (01:56:54) adrenaline rush on the court you just go (01:56:56) through the pain you go through (01:56:57) everything and then you like once you (01:57:01) cool off and your muscles are cold and (01:57:03) everything it's just like devastating (01:57:06) feeling you can't walk but you know (01:57:08) obviously more satisfying when you win (01:57:10) such battle but I had incredible matches (01:57:13) against Radal clay court matches I mean (01:57:17) clay is the the slowest surface and (01:57:19) physically in our sport and playing him (01:57:21) on clay in Roland Garas is probably the (01:57:24) top challenge you can have in the (01:57:25) history of our sport cuz he you know he (01:57:28) was getting to every ball and I was also (01:57:30) very very good defender and always and (01:57:33) you know very physically fit. So we (01:57:34) would like push each other to the very (01:57:37) limit physically and mentally you know (01:57:39) it was at times almost like an outof (01:57:41) body experience for both of us where we (01:57:44) would just everything would flow. We (01:57:46) would play incredible points that would (01:57:48) last so long exchanges and you know when (01:57:51) you finish a match then you realize oh (01:57:53) my god it's almost like you were not (01:57:55) playing it. It was like something took (01:57:57) over and just all your talent the skill (01:58:02) everything was on a scale or on the (01:58:05) platform that we created. It's like (01:58:08) almost like a an artist when he goes (01:58:10) into his on a canvas into his zone and (01:58:14) just starts drawing some beautiful. (01:58:16) That's how it felt, (01:58:18) >> you know, many times when I played him. (01:58:20) >> And now when I talk about it and (01:58:22) reflect, it gives me, you know, a great (01:58:25) sense of pride uh and satisfaction that (01:58:27) I've had the rivalry that I had with him (01:58:30) and that, you know, I feel like not only (01:58:32) we we both made history of the sport, (01:58:34) but we both made each other better. And (01:58:37) I feel like we brought so many (01:58:39) incredible emotions to people who were (01:58:41) watching us play. (01:58:42) >> Yeah, you can still watch those. I love (01:58:44) Tik Tok now because you got the (01:58:45) highlights. (01:58:46) >> You can just watch those highlights for (01:58:48) ages like all the best points and people (01:58:50) compile it and you just think, "Wow, (01:58:52) it's it is (01:58:53) >> it's poetry in motion to just watch, (01:58:55) >> you know, two two artists play (01:58:57) together." (01:58:58) >> Uh, fifth and final question. We asked (01:59:01) this to every guest who's ever been on (01:59:03) the show. Not in the beginning, though. (01:59:04) So these all these rituals came (01:59:06) afterwards. Uh if you could create one (01:59:08) law that everyone in the world had to (01:59:11) follow, what would it be? (01:59:13) >> Hard to pick one thing, but I I would (01:59:15) probably create a law without punish (01:59:18) greatly someone who just (01:59:21) destroys our planet, throws trash in the (01:59:24) nature or in the water or, (01:59:27) you know, disrespects (01:59:30) our mother nature and the planet we live (01:59:31) on. (01:59:33) Maybe it would be a law where you would (01:59:35) have to say hello to every person that (01:59:38) walks by. (01:59:39) >> Mhm. (01:59:41) >> Just trying to be more kind, more (01:59:44) gracious, a little bit more (01:59:46) compassionate. We need a little bit more (01:59:48) empathy and compassion in this planet (01:59:50) because when we when we are as people (01:59:53) closer to each other and we are less (01:59:56) divided, I feel like then as a positive (02:00:00) consequence of that, we will take care (02:00:01) of the planet we're living on. (02:00:03) >> Yeah. Well, Novak, as always, I'm (02:00:06) inspired to see what you do continue to (02:00:08) do in tennis, what you'll do beyond (02:00:10) tennis, and last time we covered your (02:00:15) story of how you became and who you were (02:00:18) and where you started. And I feel like (02:00:19) today we've added another beautiful (02:00:21) chapter onto that growth. And I'm so (02:00:25) grateful to you for showing up as you do (02:00:27) always, for living as intentionally as (02:00:29) you always do. I still remember we (02:00:31) finished the last interview and even (02:00:33) today my team was saying it after the (02:00:35) interview last time you spent an hour (02:00:36) talking to my team at that time and even (02:00:39) today when you were coming in every oh (02:00:41) my god he's so nice he's so kind it's (02:00:43) just it's amazing to see someone who's (02:00:46) truly truly truly uh the goat of their (02:00:49) sport to be that humble grounded kind at (02:00:52) all times with everyone uh it's truly (02:00:55) admirable (02:00:56) >> nice and all the truly best people have (02:00:59) it So, you know, yeah, you're (02:01:01) >> Thank you, Jay, for having me and thank (02:01:02) you for for spending, you know, two (02:01:04) hours with me and I, you know, we time (02:01:07) flew by. I mean, it's incredible and (02:01:09) it's I feel like the the connection and (02:01:12) the energy was was amazing as it always (02:01:14) is with you and I hope that for the next (02:01:17) chapter, we won't need to wait another 5 (02:01:19) years. (02:01:19) >> I agree. Let's let's promise each We (02:01:21) need to we need to we promise each other (02:01:24) we got to we got to meet uh more (02:01:25) frequent because I think we are both uh (02:01:28) >> you know expanding and evolving and (02:01:31) doing incredible things in our own (02:01:33) fields and so many interesting things to (02:01:35) talk about and to share. So for sure I' (02:01:38) I'd love to uh I'd love to be your guest (02:01:41) a little bit more frequently and not (02:01:42) wait for a long time. But thank you for (02:01:44) having me and (02:01:45) >> thank you (02:01:45) >> allowing me to share my story. (02:01:47) >> Thank you man. Anyone who's been (02:01:48) listening and watching, let me and Novak (02:01:50) know. Tag us on Instagram, on Tik Tok. (02:01:52) Let us know what's resonating with you, (02:01:54) what's connecting with you. If there was (02:01:56) a a message, a game, a point, something (02:01:58) that Novak shared with you that is going (02:02:01) to stay with you for some time, let us (02:02:02) know. I love seeing what has an impact (02:02:05) on you. That's the goal of these (02:02:06) conversations. I want to see what shifts (02:02:08) you make, the habits you change, and the (02:02:11) new goals that you achieve because of (02:02:13) this conversation. A big thank you to (02:02:15) Novak again, and we'll see you on the (02:02:16) next one. If you love this episode, you (02:02:19) will love my interview with Kobe Bryant (02:02:21) on how to be strategic and obsessive to (02:02:24) find your purpose. Our children have (02:02:26) become less imaginative about how to (02:02:29) problem solve and parents and coaches (02:02:31) have become more directive and trying to (02:02:33) tell them how to behave versus teaching (02:02:34) them how to behave.